HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem a - District 3 Vacancy Interviews and AppointmentSTAFF REPORT
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
DATE: June 2, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: INTERVIEW CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED
TERM OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTING DISTRICT 3
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Conduct Interviews and Make Appointment
SUMMARY
On May 11, 2026, a vacancy occurred in City Council District 3 with the resignation of
Eileen Wang. At its May 19, 2026, meeting, the City Council directed the City Manager
to solicit applications for appointment to fill the unexpired term, with applications
due to the City Clerk’s Office by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 29.
The City received 11 applications in total; however, only 10 applications are being
referred to the City Council as meeting the application and eligibility requirements.
Interviews are scheduled for June 2, beginning at 5:00 p.m. It is recommended that
the City Council interview prospective candidates to fill the District 3 vacancy and
make an appointment to fill the unexpired term.
BACKGROUND
In November 2022, Eileen Wang was elected to the Arcadia City Council by District 3
voters and held office until her resignation on May 11, 2026. Ms. Wang’s resignation
from the Arcadia City Council creates a vacancy in District 3 for the balance of the
term, which is set to expire upon the certification of the November General Municipal
Election results.
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District 3 Vacancy Appointment
June 2, 2026
Page 2 of 3
On May 19, 2026, the City Council considered available options to fill the District 3
vacancy, which included an appointment, holding a special election, or leaving the
seat vacant for the remainder of the unexpired term. The City Council determined
that an appointment process is the most option to fill the vacant City Council seat.
Also, during the May 19 meeting, the City Council established the process for filling
the vacancy in District 3. The process includes an application period concluding on
May 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., with televised interviews to occur during a Special
Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on June 2, 2026. The Council directed the City Manager to issue
a short application form consisting of two questions, required applicants to meet the
same eligibility requirements applicable to all City Council Members, including
residency within District 3, and provided that each applicant will have the opportunity
to deliver an approximately two-minute statement during the interview process.
Each Council Member will be permitted to ask two questions of each candidate and
selections would be made using a 3-2-1 point ranking system for each Member’s top
three candidates.
DISCUSSION
At the time of publication, the City has received 11 applications in total; however, only
10 applications are being referred to the City Council as meeting the application and
eligibility requirements. One application was received by the deadline but was
determined to be ineligible due to voter registration status.
The qualifying applications received (Attachment No. 1) are as follows:
• Walter Besocke
• Ruby Chang
• John Han
• Gail Littlejohn
• Eduardo Magallanes
• Cynthia Ng Monje
• Beth Szymkowski
• Paul Van Fleet
• Lisa Walton
• Peter Yoo
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District 3 Vacancy Appointment
June 2, 2026
Page 3 of 3
If additional applications are received before the 11:59 p.m. deadline on May 29, but
after the initial publication of the June 2 City Council Agenda, an addendum will be
published with the updated staff report and additional applications in the agenda
packet.
It is recommended that the City Council interview prospective City Council candidates
to fill the District 3 vacancy and make an appointment to the fill the unexpired term,
concluding upon the certification of the November 3 General Municipal Election
results.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed appointment does not constitute a project under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have
no impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impacts of selecting a new member of the City Council through an
appointment process are negligible. Associated costs include staff time to update
records and publications, provide training and onboarding, and purchase the
necessary name plates and badges, business cards, and stationery. None of the
expenses generated through an appointment process will require a supplemental
budget appropriation and can be absorbed within existing budgets.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action is not a project
under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and interview prospective
City Council candidates to fill the District 3 vacancy and make an appointment.
Attachment No. 1: District 3 Vacancy - City Council Applications
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District 3 City Council Interviews
Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Name Comments
Walter Besocke
Ruby Chang
John Han
Gail Littlejohn
Eduardo Magallanes
Cynthia Ng Monje
Beth Szymkowski
Paul Van Fleet
Lisa Walton
Peter Yoo
Attachment No. 1
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