Eau Claire City Council swears in members, names vice president and fills committees

Eau Claire City Council held its annual organizational meeting April 15, administering the oath of office to newly appointed and returning council members, selecting a council vice president and filling seats on advisory committees, subcommittees and external boards.

The meeting opened with a swearing-in ceremony administered by Judge Harless for multiple councilmembers, including Charlie Johnson, Larry Mboga, Joshua Miller and Nate Otto. City Manager Hirsch read written statements submitted by the absent councilmember, and the council president welcomed the new and returning members and thanked staff for their work preparing for the session.

The council then selected a vice president. An initial secret-ballot round produced a tie between Council Member Jessica Schoen and Council Member Andrew Worthman, triggering a revote and further discussion about whether to delay the selection until the next meeting so a full council could vote. After Council Member Schoen withdrew her candidacy, the body appointed Council Member Andrew Worthman as vice president by unanimous consent.

Members spent the remainder of the meeting appointing council representatives to advisory committees, ad hoc committees, quasi-judicial bodies and external boards. Many appointments were made by unanimous consent when the number of applicants matched open seats; several required a show-of-hands vote. Council members frequently offered…