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Ferndale council outlines schedule to fill vacant council seat, will host candidate forum
Summary
Council accepted Donnie Johnson’s resignation and discussed a process to fill the vacancy; staff reported 14 applicants, and council directed staff to solicit short written answers and hold a candidate forum May 6 or 7 where applicants may speak for 3–5 minutes, with a final selection no later than May 26.
Following acceptance of a resignation listed on the consent agenda, the City Council discussed procedures to fill the vacant council seat.
Staff reported 14 applicants to date and proposed next steps: distribute a short questionnaire (two to three questions) to all applicants as they apply, invite applicants to a public forum (proposed dates May 6 or May 7) to speak for three to five minutes answering prepared questions, allow written responses for those unable to attend, and plan a final council decision no later than May 26. Council members discussed whether to narrow the pool beforehand or to allow all applicants to present; members stressed openness, public notice and equity of process.
Key proposed questions for applicants included their top three goals as a councilmember, how they would fit with the current council team and which policies they would prioritize. Staff agreed to send the questionnaire with each application and to notice the forum consistent with open meetings requirements.
Why it matters: council appointments change the body dynamics and voting composition; the council set a near‑term schedule that includes a public engagement step before a final selection.
