Sequim council interviews five applicants for vacant seat; candidates stress infrastructure, housing and health care

At a meeting of the Sequim City Council, members interviewed five applicants for an open council seat and heard each candidate describe relevant experience and priorities for the city.

The interviews highlighted common themes: improving infrastructure and traffic flow, expanding housing options, bolstering health‑care access (including proposals for a 24‑hour emergency medical facility), water‑supply planning and engagement in the council’s comprehensive‑plan process. Candidates described professional and personal experience they said would help Sequim manage growth and city services.

Kelly Berger, a council candidate, told the council she has lived in Sequim for almost seven years and said she is “passionate about protecting and preserving the natural environment” while working to “improve infrastructure, build more affordable housing [and] prepare the city to face challenges of climate change.” Berger said she would “work collaboratively with other council members and city employees” and cited examples of team work from her prior employment and family care responsibilities.

Patrick Day, a candidate who described a long career in corrections and union leadership, emphasized public safety and health care. Day said he would “love to see us get a 24 hour emergency medical clinic somehow in Sequim,” and suggested exploring partnerships with the local tribe and pursuing state or federal grants to help fund health‑care or mental‑health facilities. Day also raised high‑speed internet and workforce development as priorities to support jobs and schools.

Tom Farrell, a candidate with previous council experience, framed his approach around impartial decision‑making. He said he would “apply as much objectivity to the issues that I can” and stressed collaboration with staff and other jurisdictions to advance economic development and housing strategies.

Dennison Luce described decades of experience in construction, design and budgeting and told the council he could contribute technical expertise for capital projects and infrastructure prioritization. William Stone, who works in information technology and volunteers locally, emphasized listening and communication with residents and noted infrastructure, schools and housing as key local concerns.

Council members repeatedly pointed candidates to an upcoming comprehensive‑plan retreat and said the retreat will be an early opportunity for a new member to get up to speed. Several candidates said they expect to participate in the retreat and use it to learn the city’s priorities and planning status.

The meeting also recorded routine procedural actions: a motion to approve the meeting agenda was presented, seconded and approved at the start of the session; later, members moved and seconded adjournment. The council did not make an appointment to fill the vacancy during the interview session; council members indicated they expect to consider appointment at a subsequent meeting.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve agenda: moved and seconded; outcome — approved (no mover/second named in the record). - Conduct interviews of council vacancy applicants: action taken (interviews completed); outcome — no formal appointment or vote recorded in this meeting. - Motion to adjourn: moved and seconded; outcome — approved (no mover/second named in the record).

Background and next steps The interviews are part of the council’s process to fill a vacant seat. Councilors referred to the comprehensive‑plan work now under way and said a decision on appointment will follow at a future council meeting. Candidates repeatedly raised infrastructure, housing and health‑care capacity as priorities they would press the council to address if appointed.