Procedural Deadlock Stalls Yreka City Council’s Mayoral Selection

The Yreka City Council’s December 17 meeting, which began with ceremonial recognition of outgoing Councilman Duane Kegg and the swearing-in of Councilmen James Clair and Corey Middleton, ended in an unexpected impasse over mayoral selection.

Following Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, the council attempted multiple rounds of nominations for the mayoral position. Councilman Drake Davis nominated Councilwoman Colleen Baker, while current Mayor Middleton put forward Mayor Pro Tempore Paul McCoy. Over six rounds of voting, various council members received nominations, including Middleton himself and newcomer Clair, who declined citing inexperience.

The process stalled due to procedural requirements. Under council rules, closing nominations requires a supermajority of at least four affirmative votes. Despite repeated attempts, the council consistently split 3-2, with Davis, Baker, and Clair voting to close nominations, while Middleton and McCoy voted against.

“When you don’t agree with something, it is your privilege and your right to either vote yes, to see that bill move forward, or no to not see that move forward,” McCoy stated during the proceedings. The deadlock led to mounting frustration among council members.

“I don’t understand why we’re not voting on the mayor,” Davis remarked during the meeting, to which Middleton responded, “Well, I can’t make you understand.”

The council ultimately voted 4-1 to table the mayoral selection, with Baker dissenting. As a result, Middleton and McCoy will retain their positions as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore until the matter is resolved. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2025, following the cancellation of the January 7 session.

This leadership uncertainty comes as the city maintains a reported cash balance exceeding $23 million, despite recent increases in sales taxes and city fees, and faces decisions on various municipal projects and services.

Around timestamp 56:01-56:51, there’s a notable exchange:

Middleton responds with what appears to be a dismissive or condescending tone: “but I can’t make you understand”

Davis, followed by “I know the process and the process is that if we are able to elect one the current regime remains in the power, and I don’t think this is best for the city.”

Davis expresses that while the current leadership hasn’t done poorly, he believes change would benefit the city: “I think a change would be good not that you’re did bad, I just think a change keeps things rolling.”

This exchange highlights the tension between Davis’s call for new leadership and Middleton’s less professional response, which seems to dismiss Davis’s perspective rather than engage with it constructively.