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Mukilteo council appoints Alona Van Duzer to fill vacant seat
Summary
After interviewing four finalists, the Mukilteo City Council voted to appoint Alona Van Duzer to a vacant council seat; councilors praised the applicant pool and pledged to support the new member’s transition.
The Mukilteo City Council appointed Alona Van Duzer to fill a vacant council seat on May 18, after interviewing four finalists and narrowing the field. Council members said the pool of applicants was strong and the selection followed a public interview process in which each candidate answered the same set of questions.
Council President Moon and others thanked all applicants for their participation before the council took its votes. Council members cast private top-two preferences; the council narrowed the finalists to Ashwin Sangvi and Alona Van Duzer and then voted. The council’s final selection was Alona Van Duzer; the mayor and council later moved to make the appointment unanimous as a ceremonial gesture of unity.
Council members speaking before the vote emphasized different reasons for their choices. Council Vice President Emery praised Van Duzer’s steady attendance at meetings and her experience with the city’s DEI commission; Council Member Champion said the decision was difficult given how qualified each finalist was. Council President Moon noted that Riaz Khan is the only applicant who previously served on the council and acknowledged the value of varied experience among contenders.
Van Duzer, when interviewed earlier in the process, said she would prioritize maintaining the city’s character while supporting ‘‘managed and intentional’’ growth, and she identified public-safety and waterfront development among her priorities. Councilors signaled their intention to help the new member transition into committee work and city responsibilities.
The appointment was announced from the dais at the meeting’s conclusion; councilors encouraged continued community engagement and told other applicants there would be opportunities to serve on commissions and boards.
The appointment will take effect as the council’s rules and state law govern; councilors said the selection was made in open session following the council’s public interview process.
Next steps: the council and staff said they will support Van Duzer’s onboarding and committee assignments in coming weeks.
