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Centennial council appoints Steve Carmine to fill District 2 vacancy
Summary
After interviewing three finalists, the Centennial City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 12, 2026, to appoint Steve Carmine to the District 2 seat; Carmine was sworn in immediately and will serve a two-year term under Resolution 2026-R05.
The Centennial City Council appointed Steve Carmine to fill the District 2 vacancy on Feb. 12, 2026, voting 8-0 to approve Resolution 2026-R05. Carmine was sworn into office at the meeting and took his seat on the dais the same evening.
The special meeting opened with the mayor explaining the process: three candidates would be interviewed in a public format with four pre-agreed questions and up to 45 minutes per candidate. Lula Gilbert, Mark Hacker and Steve Carmine each gave opening remarks and answered council questions about District 2 priorities such as retail vacancies, transit connectivity, aging-in-place and neighborhood amenities.
During deliberations following the interviews, several council members praised candidates’ qualifications and explained their rankings. Council member Sandhu said she had selected Mark Hacker as her top choice because he “addressed the challenges of younger generations and the quality of life and cost of living,” but acknowledged the council majority. Council member Vaidya said, “Knowing that the majority of council support Steve Carmine, I would change my vote to to support Steve Carmine as well.” The mayor reported initial straw-poll results favoring Carmine and opened the floor for recorded comments before a formal motion.
Council member Vaidya moved to adopt Resolution 2026-R05, appointing Carmine to a term commencing Feb. 12, 2026; Council member Middleton seconded. The council approved the resolution by roll-call vote, recorded as eight yes votes. The clerk then administered the oath of office; Carmine affirmed the pledge to support the U.S. and Colorado constitutions, state laws, the Centennial Home Rule Charter and city ordinances.
Carmine stressed his council experience and community involvement after being sworn in, and council leadership discussed assigning him to boards and commissions in the coming week. The mayor also invited Carmine to a ceremonial swearing-in with a judge at a March meeting. The presiding official adjourned the special meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Background: candidates raised several recurring policy themes during their interviews. Gilbert emphasized repurposing long-vacant retail spaces, youth programming and transport alternatives. Hacker highlighted open-space connections, transit-oriented development and pedestrian safety. Carmine focused on the fiscal impact of declining retail centers, outreach to property owners and strategies to increase the city’s tax base. The council’s formal action was limited to the appointment; no new policy was adopted at the meeting.
What’s next: Carmine will assume District 2 duties immediately and the council will finalize his committee and board assignments in the coming days. The resolution names a two-year term under Centennial’s Home Rule Charter.
