City Council Removes Mayor from SANDAG Board [Video Clip]

The Oceanside City Council voted Wednesday evening to remove Mayor Jim Wood as the primary SANDAG board member.

Councilman Gary Felien, who has been vocal about the need to remove Wood, introduced the motion.

“I believe it’s fair and reasonable to ask that we have representatives on regional bodies that support the view of the majority, not the view of the minority,” he said.

Felien was backed by Councilmen Jack Feller and Jerome Kern while Wood and Sanchez voted against the motion.

Felien, Feller and Kern want to connect the northern and southern sections of Melrose Drive, which are separated near Guajome Regional Park, according to U-T San Diego. Wood and Sanchez oppose the project.

Felien, Feller and Kern contend that Wood has done a poor job in steering transportation funds to the city.

The SANDAG board, which is generally made up of the 18 mayors in San Diego County, governs the agency that oversees countywide transportation planning and funding.

Wood, who was re-elected in November, said the decision would be "thrown out" of court and said he would seek a lawyer for advice.

The seat would remain vacant until an appointment is made by the council, according to Oceanside City Attorney John Mullen.

—City News Service contributed to this report.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly attributed a statement. This version has been updated to reflect that City Attorney John Mullen said the seat would remain vacant until the council makes an appointment.