Register Staff Writer

There are only two seats available in the American Canyon City Council race, but the top three vote-getters on Nov. 7 could end up in office.

On Thursday the American Canyon City Council voted unanimously that the candidate who finishes third would be appointed to the City Council if Councilwoman Cindy Coffey wins her mayoral bid.

Coffey, one of three mayoral candidates on Tuesday's ballot, has two years remaining on her current City Council term. Her election as mayor would create a vacancy that could have been filled by appointment or special election. The council voted essentially to respect the will of the voters and appoint the candidate who finishes third in this election.

The new rule is necessary because voters in June decided that for the first time, American Canyon residents should directly elect their mayor, rather than have the mayor chosen by members of the City Council.

The mayor will serve a two-year term, while council members serve four-year terms.

From now on, every two years, two council members and the mayor will be up for re-election, according to American Canyon City Attorney Bill Ross.

Under the ordinance the City Council approved Thursday, the duties of the mayor are largely unchanged, according to current Mayor Cecil Shaver.

"It's pretty much the same," said Shaver. Shaver said he spends about 20 hours a week on mayoral duties, which includes co-signing about 100 checks a week.

As mayor, Shaver said he also reviews city expenses, including those of the fire chief and the city manager.

A regular City Council member needs about eight to 10 hours a week to do the job, he said. Almost all obligations are scheduled during evening hours, said Shaver.

The new ordinance also clarifies that the entire City Council will make appointments to city boards and commissions.

Shaver is not seeking to keep the mayor's post. Instead, he is one of seven candidates for City Council.

The three mayoral candidates are: Coffey, 45, the publisher of the Napa-Solano Post; Leon Garcia, 63, a retired Napa State Hospital nurse and councilmember whose four-year term ends this fall; and Paul Maguire, 42, a real estate owner and former Napa Valley Casino owner and real estate owner.

The seven council candidates are: Don Callison, 46, a businessman; Kymberlee Gilson, 44, a mobile home park manager; J.T. Miller, 58, a deputy labor commissioner for the California Department of Industrial Relations; Bill Russell, 62, a businessman; Shaver, 58, a naval architect; James Walker, 18, a Napa Valley College student; and Ed West, 45, a Napa County correctional officer.