Still no mayor for San Mateo: Decision continued to 12/12

Nearly 100 public comments were almost 3-to-1 in favor of selecting a mayor at the Dec. 7 continuation of the Dec. 5 City Council Reorganization meeting.

The meeting had one item only on the agenda: 

“Nominations and selection of the Mayor followed by the drawing of lots to establish the Deputy Mayor rotation from the newly elected for the future and then installation of officers.”

After Councilmember Loraine's rejected motion to elect Councilmember Lee as mayor and then many more hours of deliberation, Councilmembers Nash and Newsom, once again, blocked the selection of mayor and deputy. During deliberations, Councilmember Lee revealed that she had been approached privately multiple times about agreeing to select her as mayor in exchange for her vote on a specific fifth councilmember in a possible violation of the Brown Act. 

The meeting adjourned at midnight and was continued to Dec.12, following the conclusion of the Special Meeting to appoint a fifth councilmember on that date. 

> Rally your support to appoint the mayor at San Mateo City Hall on Monday, Dec. 12. Time TBD.

Watch a key moment in the meeting: “I was approached multiple times through back channel deals. . . an egregious Brown Act violation. I refuse to do business that way.” —Councilmember Lee

> More from the press: 

San Mateo Daily Journal 12/9/22: San Mateo mayor decision still deadlocked

KQED Radio 12/8/22: The City of San Mateo is in the midst of a power struggle

Mercury News 12/7/22: After another long, tense public meeting Wednesday, San Mateo remains without a mayor

San Mateo Daily Journal 12/7/22: San Mateo without mayor

Península 360 Press 12/7/22: Nash y Newsom, mal comienzo para la ciudad de San Mateo

Climate Redwood City 12/7/22: Countywide Support Grows for Amourence Lee

Mercury News 12/6/22: San Mateo: Council mayoral election turns into chaotic power struggle lasting hours