The City of Riverbank held a special council meeting on October 2, 2024, primarily to address the vacancy left by the resignation of District 3 Council Member Lianne Jones Cruz. The meeting began with roll call, confirming the presence of Mayor O'Brien and Council Member Barbara Martinez, while noting the vacancy of the Vice Mayor position.

City Clerk Gabby Hernandez presented the situation surrounding the vacancy, explaining that Jones Cruz's resignation took effect on September 30, 2024. The council is required to fill this vacancy within 60 days, meaning a decision must be made by November 29, 2024. The council has two options: appoint a new member or call for a special election.

If the council opts for a special election, it must be scheduled no sooner than March 4, 2025, which is the next established election date. This option would incur costs for the city, and the elected council member would serve until November 2026, completing the remainder of Jones Cruz's term.

Alternatively, if the council chooses to fill the vacancy by appointment, the appointed member would also serve until November 2026. The council's decision on how to proceed is crucial, as it will shape the representation of District 3 in the coming years.

The meeting concluded without public comments, as no members of the public participated via Zoom. The council will need to deliberate on the best course of action to ensure timely representation for the residents of District 3.