Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez (D2) will seek two months parental leave from serving on the City Council after bringing home a baby girl this July.
The Eastside councilman was reelected with 61% of the vote this month for a term that runs through 2029.
McKee-Rodriguez announced in February that he and his husband are expecting a daughter this summer, and wrote to constituents Tuesday to inform them of his plans to seek a temporary placeholder for the District 2 council seat.
“This is a joyful and life-changing moment for my family, and I’m incredibly grateful for your continued trust,” McKee-Rodriguez said in the letter. “I take seriously my responsibility to make sure that your needs remain front and center, and I am committed to a thoughtful transition that protects the progress we’ve made and prepares us for what’s ahead.”
The council as a whole takes off work in July. McKee-Rodriguez plans to be out August 1 through October 1 — some of the busiest weeks, when the council must pass a budget for the coming year.
“I know how important it is that District 2 has a voice at every decision-making table,” he wrote. “That’s why, during my temporary leave, I’ll be requesting the appointment of an interim councilmember to serve in my place.”
There’s little precedent for parental leave on the City Council.
Former District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval missed several meetings after the birth of her daughter in June 2022, then continued to participate for a stretch remotely before stepping down from her seat roughly seven months later to accept a higher-paying job.
“We are not aware of any previous temporary appointment to fill a seat during parental leave,” city spokesman Brian Chasnoff said Wednesday.
McKee-Rodriguez said in an interview Monday that he sought guidance from the city attorney’s office and crafted a plan similar to what city staff members would receive.
Council members don’t need permission to take leave, McKee-Rodriguez said, but his colleagues will need to ratify the process for selecting a temporary replacement.
He would continue to receive a salary during the eight weeks of family leave.
The process to fill his seat will be similar to when the city chose a temporary placeholder for former Councilman Clayton Perry (D10), who took leave for substance abuse treatment in 2022. In that case, the council voted unanimously to appoint former Councilman Mike Gallagher temporarily to the role.
The target date for City Council to appoint the interim council member is June 12, Chasnoff said. The process includes an application by potential candidates, vetting by the clerk’s office, interviews by the council during a B Session and consideration of an appointment at an A Session.
