Fortuna City Council appoints Abe Stevens to vacant seat after interviews

The Fortuna City Council appointed Abe Stevens to the vacant council seat following interviews with five candidates and a public comment period. Council members submitted ranked written choices that were tallied by points; Stevens led the tally with nine points, and the council then voted 4-0 to appoint him. He was sworn in at the meeting.

The appointment fills a seat that will next appear on the ballot in the November 2026 general election and again in 2028, in compliance with state law, the city manager told council members during the meeting. City Manager Amy Nilsen described the process in the staff report: six applicants originally applied, one withdrew, and the remaining five were interviewed in the order their names were drawn from a bowl. Each council member submitted first, second and third choices (three points, two points, one point) and the city…