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Erica Zadan chosen to fill Isanti City Council vacancy after tie broken by mayor
Summary
After interviewing four candidates for an open council seat, Isanti Mayor Luke Merrill broke a 2–2 tie and appointed longtime resident and educator Erica Zadan during the March 10 meeting; Zadan was sworn in immediately and will take on committee responsibilities previously held by the departing member.
Isanti Mayor Luke Merrill appointed Erica Zadan to the Isanti City Council on March 10, resolving a 2–2 tie among council ballots after interviews with four applicants.
The council conducted interviews with four nominees for the open seat: Josh Bosma, Cheryl Davidson, Erica Zadan and Brandon James Becker. Candidates described their backgrounds and priorities during scheduled interview slots. Zadan, a teacher at Isanti Primary who said she and her husband have lived in the city for about 25 years, emphasized long-term community involvement and volunteer leadership (SEG 874–1173).
Ballots cast by council members resulted in two votes for Zadan and two for Becker. Mayor Merrill exercised the mayoral tiebreak and said he would appoint "the person that has been the most involved with our community," inviting Zadan to the dais (SEG 1433–1440). Zadan then took the oath of office before the council.
Council members moved promptly to reassign committee duties that had been tied to the vacant seat. Staff and council discussed whether to keep two council members on the Park & Rec board; the council decided to open a Park & Rec seat to public application and adjust other committee assignments at a later date (SEG 1479–1644).
Zadan will fill the seat immediately and assumed council responsibilities for upcoming board and committee meetings. The appointment followed the council’s stated process of interviewing applicants in the order received and asking that questions posed to one candidate be asked of all candidates.
No formal vote tally or roll-call beyond the mayor’s tiebreak decision was recorded in the minutes; the council moved on to other business after the oath of office.
What happens next: staff will update committee rosters and post the Park & Rec vacancy as discussed; the council indicated it will support a short transition period for Zadan to assume committee duties (SEG 1479–1644).
