Lake Stevens Council elects Ryan Donohue president, Kim Shipman vice president; approves agenda

The Lake Stevens City Council elected Councilmember Ryan Donohue as council president and Councilmember Kim Shipman as council vice president during its Jan. 7, 2025 meeting at the Mill in downtown Lake Stevens, following roll-call votes.

The nominations were uncontested. After nominations opened, the council closed nominations and proceeded to a roll-call vote; council members recorded affirmative votes for both Donohue and Shipman. The council then approved the meeting agenda by motion and adjourned at the end of the regular session.

Why it matters: Council leadership sets the meeting and liaison priorities for the year, and the votes completed routine organizational business that preceded policy and planning discussions on the council’s calendar.

Councilmember Donohue thanked staff after the vote, saying, "I'd like my presidency to be legitimate. Thank you, Caitlin." Deputy Clerk Caitlin Weaver conducted roll-call confirmations during the session.

Votes at a glance: - Election of council president: Motion to elect Councilmember Ryan Donohue as council president — outcome: approved by roll-call (unanimous yes among members recorded on the roll call). - Election of council vice president: Motion to elect Councilmember Kim Shipman as council vice president — outcome: approved by roll-call (unanimous yes among members recorded on the roll call). - Approval of meeting agenda: Motion, second, voice vote — outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn: Motion, second, voice vote — outcome: approved.

Procedure and attendance: The council opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, took roll call, and confirmed meeting procedures for the new year. The council indicated it would hold these organizational elections at the first council meeting each year going forward and followed its rules to record votes by roll call for the leadership positions.