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Fortuna City Council appoints Carlos Diaz to fill vacant seat
Summary
After interviewing four applicants at a special March 10 meeting, the Fortuna City Council used an order-of-merit vote to appoint Carlos Diaz to a council term that runs through calendar year 2026. The council administered a ceremonial oath and will complete paperwork for seating.
FORTUNA, Calif. — The Fortuna City Council appointed Carlos Diaz to fill a vacant council seat at a special meeting Monday, March 10, following interviews with four applicants and an order-of-merit voting process.
The council voted 4-0 to approve the appointment. Councilmember Connolly, Councilmember King, Mayor Pro Tem Trent and Mayor Johnson voted in favor. After the appointment the council administered a ceremonial oath; Diaz will complete signed paperwork before assuming his seat for the remainder of the term, which ends in calendar year 2026.
City Manager Amy Evans described the selection process at the start of the meeting: applicants would give a two-minute overview, answer a set of pre-distributed questions and then remain for public comment and council deliberations. Four candidates were interviewed in alphabetical order: Carlos Diaz; Michael Kine; Arian Kiani; and Arlene Spires. Evan Lancaster also participated as an online applicant. Two community members spoke during the public-comment period to wish the council well and praise the applicants.
The council initially split on first choices, producing a tie that triggered the order-of-merit procedure described by staff. Councilmembers ranked applicants (three points for a first choice, two for a second, one for a third). After two rounds of ranking the point totals were: Carlos Diaz 10, Michael Kine 6 and Arlene Spires 4. Based on those totals a council member moved to appoint Diaz; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with no recorded dissents.
Carlos Diaz, an applicant and Fortuna resident of 25 years, told council members he has volunteered 13 years with the Fortuna Fire Department and described himself as "community service oriented" and motivated to "give back" to the town that raised his family. In his two-minute opening, Diaz said, "I love everything that this community has provided for me and my family, and it's my way of contributing and giving back." The council cited his local ties and community involvement when explaining their rankings.
Other applicants highlighted planning, economic development and volunteer experience. Michael Kine, who serves as chair of Fortuna's Planning Commission, told the council he supports redeveloping the mill site and expanding the Riverwalk area to attract commerce and housing. Arian Kiani, who moved to Fortuna eight months ago, emphasized leveraging festivals and underused Main Street assets to increase visitor traffic. Arlene Spires, a grants and contracts analyst, cited municipal budgeting, water and wastewater infrastructure and bringing more tournaments and events to town as priorities.
After the appointment the council administered a ceremonial oath by video for the absent appointee. City staff noted a physical oath card remains to be signed before Diaz is formally seated at a subsequent meeting. The council adjourned at the end of the special meeting.
Votes at a glance: motion to appoint Carlos Diaz — approved, roll-call 4-0 (Connolly, King, Trent, Johnson).
