For
Immediate Release:
August
27, 2020
Councilmember
Ortiz Resigns, President Scott Announces Process to Fill Vacancy
Today,
August 27, 2020, Rochester City Councilmember Jacklyn Ortiz officially
submitted her resignation for the seat of Councilmember at Large effective
immediately.
“On
behalf of the City Council I would like to formally thank Councilmember Ortiz
for her decade of service to the City of Rochester and wish her well in her new
endeavor as the Democratic Commissioner of the Monroe County Board of
Elections,” said City Council President Loretta C. Scott.
Pursuant
to Section 5-4 of the City Charter, the Council has 30 days to fill the
vacancy, should no one be selected within that timeframe, the appointment is
that of the City Council President. A vacancy requires that the candidate
selected meet necessary qualifications per the City Charter; Section 5-2, which
states that the Councilmember must live continuously within City limits for 2
years. Furthermore, Section 5-4 requires that the remaining Councilmembers from
the same Party as the person vacating the office nominate a replacement who
shall be appointed by a majority vote of the remaining members of the
Council.
Since
all remaining Councilmembers currently are members of the Democratic Party, all
members will be able to take part in the nomination and appointment
process. If the appointment is not made by the Council within 30 days,
then President Scott must appoint a Democrat to the position. The newly
named Councilmember at Large would hold this seat until the end of 2021, which
would also complete the current term.
President Scott on behalf of the City
Council invites all interested parties who meet the above stated requirements
to send their resume and
cover letters to the Council Office for consideration.
These documents must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 10, 2020.
Items sent by post can be addressed:
Attention: BJ Scanlon
Chief of Staff, Rochester City Council
30 Church Street, Room 301A
Rochester, New York 14614
Or
via email to council@cityofrochester.gov with Consideration
for City Councilmember at Large in the subject line. The Council also
contacted the Monroe County Democratic Committee directly, as it has done in
the past with other Council vacancies, requesting that any recommendations be
forwarded to the Council for review and consideration.
Councilmembers
will review the submitted
resumes and hold
interviews for selected individuals during the week of September 14, 2020 –
September 18, 2020. Once a candidate has been selected, a special meeting
of the City Council will be scheduled in order to seat the new Member within
the 30 day requirement.
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Media Contact: BJ Scanlon, (585) 428-7538