Monroe City Council on Tuesday appointed Kathy Stringham to fill the vacant 5th-precinct seat after interviewing three candidates and casting secret ballots.

The council convened a special meeting to interview applicants and then voted by signed ballots placed on the dais; Clerk Lavoie read the ballots into the record showing Stringham received three votes, Leah Rorke two and Gloria Rafko one. "The totals are, 3 for Stringham, 2 for Rorke, and 1 for Rafko," the clerk said, declaring Stringham the appointee under the charter's definition of a majority of the votes cast.

The appointment fills the unexpired term through Dec. 31, the clerk said, and the newly appointed member will be eligible to run in the November election if she chooses.

Why it matters: The selection fills a council vacancy by council appointment so the ward has representation through the end of the current term. Council members and the city attorney emphasized that the vote follows the city charter's rules for filling a vacancy.

Council members conducted timed interviews with three applicants in a consistent format. City Manager David Robinson said the order of interviews was determined by drawing numbers prior to the meeting; the manager thanked applicants and said the process follows the charter and election rules. The city attorney, Mr. Buds, told the council that the charter defines the term "majority" for this appointment as "more votes than any other single candidate at such election," and that the council's ballot-reading process determines which candidate received that plurality within the meaning of the charter. "Whenever the word majority is used, it will mean more votes than any other single candidate at such election for the office in question," Buds said during the meeting.

Each candidate answered the same set of questions from council members. Kathy Stringham described long-term ties to Monroe and service on the bicycle and pedestrian committee, and said she has project-management experience and intends to increase her community involvement. Gloria Rafko, a former council member and current community volunteer, highlighted experience with local boards and parks and said she remains active with local organizations. Leah Rorke said she is an attorney who practices in Monroe County and described work with local clients and community organizations. Candidates were asked about the council-manager form of government, local projects such as St. Mary's Park redevelopment and housing affordability, time commitments for council service, and how they would handle contentious votes; each candidate provided closing remarks before leaving the chamber while others were interviewed.

Clerk Lavoie explained the ballot process: each council member completed a signed ballot with the names of the three candidates, placed the folded ballot on the dais, and the clerk read each individual selection into the record. After the reading, the clerk and city attorney confirmed the result as the candidate receiving the most votes cast. The clerk also advised that the appointed candidate would be sworn in at the council's next regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at which point the appointee will take the seat. The clerk noted the appointed seat runs through Dec. 31 and that the November election remains available to any candidate who wishes to run.

The council gave brief remarks thanking all applicants for stepping forward. No public comments were made during the special meeting's public comment period.

The council adjourned after the appointment; a motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Hader and seconded by Councilman Stillgrave and carried on a recorded roll call.