Recently, the Los Altos City Council began discussing plans to address a fifth vacant seat resulting from Santa Clara County Assessor Neysa Fligor’s resignation on Jan. 13. 

The Council is currently discussing two solutions, according to councilmember Jonathan Weinberg. These solutions include holding an election this November or appointing someone as a councilmember. As of now, the council is leaning toward holding an election, according to Los Altos Mayor Sally Meadows.

“Council felt there were more downsides to making an appointment than managing with a vacant seat between now and the election,” Meadows wrote in an email.  “An appointment would require time to decide on a process, interview candidates and then bring a newly appointed councilmember up to speed for what would be a short remainder of the appointed term.”

Weinberg said the anticipated effects of this vacancy are fewer council voices in making decisions, but it will not cause any problems for the city.

The final decision for addressing the seat vacancy will be made during the next Council meeting on Feb. 10, according to Meadows. 

“The four of us [council members] are very serious and hard-working people,” Weinberg said. “We have a shared goal in trying to find what the best options are for Los Altos.”