Two California City councilmembers resigned during a heated city council meeting on July 10, citing frustrations with city leadership and tensions surrounding a proposed city-funded membership for the mayor in the African American Mayors Association.
Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Hightower and Councilmember Michael Kulikoff both stepped down after a public dispute unfolded over whether the city should pay a $1,000 membership fee for Mayor Marquette Hawkins to join the national organization.
The matter quickly escalated as the necessity of the expense was questioned, and when community members suggested that objections to the membership had racial undertones. One resident accused Hightower of racism, pointing to his history as the former police chief and criticizing his remarks during the meeting. Hightower responded angrily, calling Whittey “an idiot” and stated, “You don’t know me.”
During the discussion, Mayor Hawkins defended the request, noting that in previous instances he had paid out of pocket for work-related travel and conferences, and expressed frustration that similar memberships had been approved in the past without controversy.
Hawkins maintained that joining the African American Mayors Association would provide valuable networking and resources that could benefit the entire community. Other members of the public echoed that sentiment, including another resident, who said via Zoom that the council should not let racial concerns get in the way of helping the city move forward.
Despite the community divide, an anonymous donor later stepped forward to pay the $1,000 fee, though the gesture did little to ease tensions within the council.
Councilmember Kulikoff, who resigned shortly after Hightower, said the council had become dysfunctional, claiming that meaningful progress had stalled and that he no longer felt they were able to serve the public effectively. He also came to the defense of Hightower and Councilmember Michael Hurles, stating that race “has no place” in council debates and accusing certain activists of promoting division within the city.
Mayor Hawkins, who took office just seven months ago, expressed disappointment over the resignations but said he was not surprised by the outcome.
The departure of two councilmembers leaves California City with vacant seats and a diminished voting body at a time when it is grappling with budget issues and long-term planning. The mayor said the city is planning to call a special meeting on Monday to see how it will move forward with the vacant seats. Councilmembers could be appointed by the city, or call for a special election.
