Menlo Park council member Kelly Fergusson said in an e-mail Thursday (Dec. 9) that the election of mayor and vice mayor two days ago will be voided and the council will hold a special meeting to re-vote on both positions as a result of potential Brown Act violations on her part.
She made the statements in an e-mail sent to the Menlo Park City Council after she consulted the city attorney.
She said she takes full responsibility for potentially violating the Brown Act by holding one-on-one discussions with colleagues Rich Cline and Peter Ohtaki about her desire to become mayor, and will be "extremely careful" in the future.
As The Almanac reported on Wednesday, neither Cline nor Ohtaki said they knew she had spoken to more than one council member.
Fergusson, who has served on the council for six years, also said she will take a refresher course on the Brown Act.
Per council policy enacted in 1993, Fergusson and council member Andy Cohen are the two eligible candidates to become mayor. Both made a pitch for the position at the Dec. 7 meeting.
Related stories:
■ Newly elected Menlo Park mayor may have violated Brown Act
■ Kelly Fergusson elected Menlo Park mayor by 3-2 council vote
