Near the start of the regularly scheduled Council meeting, Mayor Foster announced that Garcia would be absent but gave no reason for his absence.

In response to an inquiry today (June 11) by LBREPORT.com, Mayor Foster's office (per Stacy Toda) indicated that Vice Mayor Garcia advised them on the afternoon of June 10 that he would be absent and gave no reason.

Councilman Al Austin's office (per Jonathan Kraus) told us on June 10, the City Manager advised that Garcia might not be present at the Council meeting later that day [at which Councilman Austin's item re paramedic staffing was scheduled to be discussed.]

The City Clerk's office tells LBREPORT.com that the item was filed on the morning of June 2 to enable Council action on June 10.

At 1:42 p.m. June 11, LBREPORT.com emailed Sharon Weissman, Garcia's Chief of Staff [after checking by phone with an office staffer who said she would be in the office in the afternoon] why Vice Mayor Garcia was absent at the June 10 Council meeting and where he was at that time. As of 5:30 p.m. June 11, a response remains pending.

Four other Council members, who like Garcia waged campaigns for offices in June 3 elections, were present at the June 10 Council meeting: Suja Lowenthal, Patrick O'Donnell, James Johnson and Steven Neal. Councilmembers Gary DeLong, Gerrie Schipske, Dee Andrews and Al Austin were also present to cast recorded votes on the paramedic staffing item.

A substitute motion by Councilman DeLong (seconded by Councilwoman Lowenthal) to receive and file (take no action on) the Austin-Schipske-Neal item failed 4-4 (Yes: Lowenthal, DeLong, Andrews Johnson; No: O'Donnell, Schipske, Austin, Neal; Absent: Garcia).

A vote was then taken to approve the Austin-Neal-Schipske item, which failed 4-4 (Yes: O'Donnell, Schipske, Austin, Neal; No: Lowenthal, DeLong, Andrews, Johnson; Absent: Garcia.)

(For LBREPORT.com coverage of the June 10 Council meeting, click here.)