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Council discusses appointments and resignations; administration outlines vacancy timeline
Summary
Council debated the validity of several recent appointments and resignations, with the city attorney advising a review; city manager outlined application deadlines (Nov. 26) and interview and selection dates (Dec. 8 interview; Dec. 16 selection).
Council members raised questions Nov. 18 about appointments made at a recent special meeting and whether the city may appoint individuals to unexpired terms.
Councilmember Pelton asked whether the council can appoint to terms that were not vacant. City Attorney Noushay advised caution and recommended pausing immediate motions and placing a fuller review on a future agenda so the administration can verify which seats were filled and whether appointments were valid under city bylaws and state law.
The discussion included questions about Councilmember Tinland's resignation, which counsel said had an effective date of Nov. 7, and an attempted rescission by the member that counsel said could not reverse the completed process under the bylaws. Staff confirmed an individual appointed at the special meeting had not yet been sworn in, and the city manager said that person would not be sworn until the matter is resolved.
Separately, City Manager Ryker presented a timeline for filling a council vacancy: applications will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 26 at noon; applicants will be reviewed and a subset invited to a special council meeting for interviews on Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.; and council selection by vote will occur at the Dec. 16 regular meeting. The manager also announced changes to the mailed water bill format and upcoming training for new council members.
