Council amends appointment resolution for vacancy after lengthy debate; ruling on process sustained

Spokane City Council considered amendments July 21 to the resolution that governs the appointment to fill the vacant seat left by Lily Navarrete. Staff described the timeline and steps the council used to publicize and process applications. Jacoby Bird, staff, reviewed the posted timeline: the application opened in May, closed June 20, interviews occurred in a special study session July 10, and a public hearing was held at the last legislative session. Bird said that amendments submitted timely would be considered at the July 21 meeting and a clean version would ideally come back for adoption the following week. Council debate focused on procedure and fairness. Some councilors said adopting amendments without a rule suspension changes long-standing practice because amendments can shift hearing dates; others said this process had been used in recent months to produce "clean" agendas for final votes. A ruling by the chair that the amendment process was consistent with prior practice was appealed and the council voted to sustain the chair's ruling. The council then voted on a proposed amendment to the appointment resolution (sponsored by Dylan Wilkerson). After debate that referenced specific applicants and their prior service, councilors approved the amendment by a 4-2 vote. Councilors emphasized the need for public process, clarity on timelines and fairness to candidates; proponents cited candidate qualifications and differing views on whether prior council service was a decisive factor. Why it matters: the resolution sets the process the council will use to fill a city council vacancy and the amendments and procedural rulings determine timing and how the public and council consider candidates. Next steps: staff will follow the council's amended timeline and process to finalize the appointment; sponsors and staff will publish the clean resolution and proceed to the scheduled final action date per council rules.