Auburn council appoints Lisa Sturgess after interviews for vacant seat

The Auburn City Council on Monday, April 14, 2025, appointed Lisa Sturgess to fill a vacant council seat after interviewing six applicants and holding an executive session to evaluate qualifications.

Council members interviewed Carmen Goers, Erica Thomas, Lisa Sturgess, Bill Stewart, Adib (last name not specified in the transcript), and John Holman in five‑minute opening statements followed by 20 minutes of questions. After private evaluation in an executive session conducted under state law, the council returned to public session, closed nominations and held a public vote. By recorded tally, Sturgess received four votes to Adib’s two and was declared appointed.

The interviews were conducted in a consistent format: five minutes for introductory remarks and up to 20 minutes of questioning from council members using the same list of presubmitted questions. Candidates described their ties to Auburn and priorities; the city’s human services, housing, public safety and business climate were recurring themes. Carmen Goers described her background in commercial lending and community development, saying, “My family and I are proud to call Auburn home.” Erica Thomas, who chairs the Human Services Committee, said she wants to focus on “increasing the amount of affordable housing” and expanding community spaces. Lisa Sturgess, who ran for council two years ago, said she has “spent my life listening, learning, and leading” and emphasized support for small business and clean, well‑maintained public spaces. Bill Stewart cited planning and downtown revitalization as priorities, and John Holman framed planning and infrastructure as top concerns. Adib noted the importance of infrastructure funding and regional collaboration, saying planning “is where a lot of the change happens.”

Council procedure followed state law for use of executive sessions. The council went into executive session citing RCW 42.30.110(1)(h) to evaluate the qualifications of candidates, then returned to the open meeting to finalize nominations and vote. Council members nominated multiple applicants from the dais; nominations were closed by motion and second, and the council then voted publicly by raised hands.

The council did not record a formal roll‑call linking each yes/no vote to individual members in the public record excerpt provided; the chair announced the final tally and declared Sturgess appointed. The transcript shows Deputy Mayor Raikes seconded the motion to close nominations; Council member Tracy Taylor moved to close nominations. The council thanked all applicants for applying and encouraged continued civic engagement.

The appointment fills the interim vacancy; the transcript did not specify the effective date of Sturgess’s service or whether she will stand in the upcoming election. The council also did not record in the transcript additional implementation steps or an effective start date. The city’s announcement and minutes should state next procedural steps and any effective date for the appointment.