Happy Summer! I hope you are enjoying your vacations and family time.
There will be a Recall election for District 4 ONLY on October 19 AND a CITYWIDE Vote for the Cannabis Initiative on October 19.
Let’s look at a timeline of how we got here:
September 2019 – A recall effort was organized by Zein Obagi Jr. in response to John Gran’s vote in August against funding a study to look at how much it would cost to merge the city’s fire department with Los Angeles County. Recall effort failed.
March 2021 – Zein Obagi Jr wins election by 33 votes.
April 2021 – Councilman Zein Obagi Jr. motions to once again fund the study to go to LA County Fire.
April/May 2021 – Housing Element which placed 90% of the required new zoning in North Redondo Beach is sent to State office with a 3 to 2 vote. A few versions of the Housing Element are discussed over the summer.
July 2021 – A resident lead change.org petition called “Recall Zein Obagi – interests not that of North Redondo” began with the idea to organize a recall.
Nothing happens.
August 2021 – a Cannabis Company, Catalyst, circulates an initiative to allow 3 Cannabis Retail shops in Redondo Beach. They gather enough Redondo Beach Voter signatures to qualify for the ballot.
February 2022 – RB City Council in a 5 to 0 vote places the Cannabis Initiative on the March 2023 ballot which is our normal Council election. This timing would give Council time to pass it’s own ordinance that would allow TWO cannabis retailers instead of 3. Daily Breeze Article
February 2022 – Catalyst CEO funds a recall effort against Councilman Obagi Jr.
Easy Reader Article
July 19, 2022
– City Council PASSED in a 4 to 0 vote, Obagi recusing, it’s own Cannabis Ordinance for 2 retailers. The permit process could be completed by January 2023.
– City Council then had to call the Recall election for November 8, 2022.
If you watch the video, notice that C/M Obagi simply walked out. The City Clerk asked if he was recusing himself. The Mayor Pro Tem/D1 Councilman said ‘ Yeah’ but C/M Obagi had already left when the question was asked. Video Here
District 1 Councilman made a motion to call a special election for the Cannabis Initiative. He put together a resolution and presented it at this July 19 meeting. The City Attorney explained the special election was NOT PROPERLY AGENDIZED. Video Here.
Pursuant to the election code you have to consolidate the Recall election with the November election or a special election.
The Special Election was not properly agendized therefore it is a violation of the Brown Act, according to the City Attorney and the City Clerk.
Councilman Horvath and I said we did not support the motion to have a Special Election on October 19. Without our support, the motion would be a tie vote 2 to 2.
At that moment, Mayor Brand who had not been at the meeting, walked in to break the tie.
A 45 minute recess was called.
Councilman Horvath announced he was leaving in protest to this violation of the Brown Act.
I also left so they would no longer have a quorum to proceed. I object to the nearly $270,000 WASTE of money, the Voter Confusion it will cause and that it was a violation of the Brown Act. Why call an election 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE STATEWIDE ELECTION plus pay $270,000 for it?
But they countered by bringing Councilman Obagi back to establish a quorum. Since he never technically recused himself, I guess that meant he could suddenly return to vote? The Special Election was called for October 19, 2022 with a 3 to 0 vote.
Filing period for candidates began July 21 and ends AUGUST 5, 2022. If you want to run for District 4 Council, the deadline to file is August 5, 2022. More Information, click here.
On Wednesday, October 19 – there will be a CITY WIDE ALL- MAIL IN Election for the Cannabis Initiative.
PLUS there will be a RECALL ELECTION in District 4 ONLY.
1 Comment
Just use Bully Brand’s own words against him…”wasn’t properly agendized, happens all the time”