Woodland Park council appoints Steven Lay to vacant seat after interviews

The Woodland Park City Council voted unanimously July 18 to appoint Steven (Steve) Lay to a vacant council seat after interviewing five applicants. The council used paper ballots; Clerk Monica read votes into the record and lay received a majority before council moved to appoint him and administered the oath of office.

Council members said they were impressed by the applicant pool and thanked those who applied for their willingness to serve. During his interview, Steven Lay described himself as a resident since 2001, said he had read the city charter and emphasized community engagement and long-term vision for the city. He told the council that priorities for him include building community consensus and supporting local businesses and events.

Mayor George Jones and members of the council praised Lay's responses in the interview and urged the four other finalists to remain involved in city volunteer opportunities. After the vote, Lay took the oath and was seated; council recessed briefly to allow him to be sworn.

The appointment fills an immediate vacancy; council members said they intend to encourage applicants who were not selected to consider other boards and commissions, including planning and Main Street committees. No further action on the appointment was required; the vote and oath were recorded in the meeting minutes.