Kelly Purvis, the city’s senior management analyst for the past seven years, has been appointed to fill the last City Council position.
She was voted in through a unanimous decision of the council during the last round of voting.
Of the 10 candidates seeking office, one withdrew his application, leaving nine to interview for the position at the Jan. 21 meeting. In addition to Purvis, John Peterson, Dave Hock, Richard Negrete, Mark Warner, Laura Wilkinson Sinton, Keith James, Whitney Benzian and Andrew Gade all lined up for vetting that took about three hours.
“My votes are going to be very clear,” Council member Carrie Anne Downey said. “I want somebody connected to the community, that has been here long enough, that they’ve been hearing from the public and know how to interact with our public.”
Mayor John Duncan affirmed the group of applicants and said that they could probably appoint a full council just based on the individuals who applied, but that he would be voting based on who he thinks is the best person to represent Coronado.
Council member Amy Steward said that teamwork was key for her and she wanted somebody that could “be collaborative, work well with each other and really get the job done.”
I think it (being a City Council member) is the best thing you can do for your community, and it’s taken me 38 years to get here.
Kelly Purvis
Purvis started her opening statement before pausing to say, “You know what? I’m really nervous,” she admitted. “I think it (being a City Council member) is the best thing you can do for your community, and it’s taken me 38 years to get here.”
Purvis has worked for the city since 2013, starting as contract arts administrator before becoming the senior management analyst for arts and culture in 2018.
She wrote in her resume that she made significant contributions to city projects, including pandemic response coordination, the 2024 Capital Improvement Project Downtown Beautification Project, and planning and implementing civic events and celebrations.
She also worked as the development director for the Coronado Historical Association where she said she gained a deep appreciation for Coronado’s rich history and heritage.
“Having spent nearly 11 years in the city manager’s office, I have a firsthand understanding of municipal operations,” Purvis said. “I know Coronado’s staff, projects and challenges.”
This position is for two years, filling a vacancy created by Duncan’s election as mayor. Purvis said she would consider running again in 2026 for a full, four-year term if she felt like it was the right situation.
She will be stepping down from her position with the city in order to be a council member.
I think this is the first time three women have served on the council — and that makes me very excited.
Kelly Purvis
“I think this is the first time three women have served on the council – and that makes me very excited,” Purvis said after winning the vote.
Of the four rounds of voting, Purvis and Benzian were the last two to reach the final stage.
To start, the each council member had six candidates they could vote for of the 10, with Purvis receiving four votes; Benzian and Gade receiving three votes each; James, Negrete, Peterson and Warner receiving two votes each; and Hock and Wilkinson Sinton receiving one vote.
In the next round, the council had four candidates they could vote for. Purvis received four votes, Benzian and Warner received three votes, Gade and James both received one vote and Negrete and Peterson had none.
Purvis, Benzian and Warner moved to the third round of voting. Purvis received all four votes again while Benzian received two and Warner received none.
She received all four votes in the final round.
Purvis will be sworn in at the next City Council meeting on Feb. 4.
