Anacortes council adopts process to fill Ward 1 vacancy after mayoral transition

The Anacortes City Council on Jan. 5 adopted a multi-step process to fill the Ward 1 council vacancy created when Ryan Walters resigned to assume the mayor’s office.

Human Resources director Bridal Moyle presented the proposed schedule and steps: the city will accept applications through Tuesday, Feb. 3 at noon; staff will confirm eligibility; applicants will give three-minute in-person statements at the Feb. 9 meeting; council will consider applications in executive session to narrow the field and then select finalists for follow-up interviews; on Feb. 16 the council will hear presentations from selected applicants, deliberate in executive session and then vote in open session; the successful applicant will be sworn in at the following meeting. Moyle emphasized that all submissions are public record and that written public comment will be accepted but public comment will not be taken during the application meetings.

Council members debated whether deliberations to narrow candidates should occur in executive session (to protect candidates’ privacy and feelings) or in open session (for public scrutiny). Council member Fantini moved to adopt the process but strike the executive-session component; the motion was seconded but failed on a voice vote. Council member Carolyn Moulton then moved to adopt the process as proposed, including the executive-session option; that motion passed.

Supporters of open deliberation argued the public deserves scrutiny of political appointments and that deliberations can be conducted respectfully in public. Supporters of limited executive session said private deliberation could spare potential candidates the discomfort of early, public exclusion and help preserve relationships in a small community. Several council members said the council could remove the executive-session option later if they wished.

Key dates and requirements in the adopted process include: applications due Feb. 3 at noon; applicants must be Ward 1 residents, City of Anacortes residents for at least one year immediately preceding appointment, and registered city voters; applicants’ submitted packets will be included in the council packet and visible to the public; Feb. 9 statements will be three minutes each; council will vote in open session after executive-session deliberations narrowed candidates.

Moyle said staff can modify the process if the number of applicants suggests a different approach and reminded the council the mayor’s role is limited to administering the process and breaking any tie votes.