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Council appoints John Gabriel to Ward 1 and approves Charter Review Board nominees
Summary
After executive session, the council voted to appoint John Gabriel to the Ward 1 vacancy, swore him in, and approved four mayoral nominees to the Charter Review Board while rejecting one nomination.
The Vermilion City Council voted on Jan. 28 to fill a Ward 1 vacancy, appointing John Gabriel to the seat and immediately swearing him into office.
Clerk Melanie read the list of candidates — Jonathan House, Anthony West and John Gabriel — and council members voted for Gabriel. Mayor Owens administered the oath and Gabriel repeated it, taking the seat as councilperson for Ward 1.
The council then considered the mayor's nominations to the Charter Review Board, a panel that will examine the city charter during the next scheduled review period. Council approved appointments for Bill McCourt, Karen Baeterna, Dave Herser and Brad Hawes. A separate motion to appoint former mayor Jim Fortover failed after members expressed concerns about his suitability and about ensuring a diverse, balanced commission.
Council discussed procedural questions about timing and candidate outreach; one member said the public had not been adequately informed about candidates under consideration and urged fuller disclosure in future vacancies. The mayor noted the charter requires him to nominate members by Jan. 31 but said council is not required to act by that date.
The council also voted to enter executive session earlier in the meeting to discuss pending litigation; that session concluded before the appointment votes and public actions resumed. The meeting adjourned after remaining procedural business.
No ordinance adoptions or budget approvals occurred at this meeting; two ordinances received their first readings and were scheduled for a second reading on a future agenda.
