Title
Approval of Appointment Process and Applicants to Interview for a Vacant City Council Seat
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss the vacant City Council Seat appointment process; determine how many candidates will be interviewed, the interview format, interview questions and which applicants to move forward in the interview process.
Move to approve an interview process and a slate of applicants to move forward for interviews to fill the vacant City Council Position #5 seat.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss the vacant City Council Seat appointment process; determine how many candidates will be interviewed, the interview format, interview questions and which applicants to move forward in the interview process.
Staff Contact:
Kellie Purce Braseth, Strategic Communications Director, City Manager’s Office, 360.753.8361
Presenter(s):
Kellie Purce Braseth, Strategic Communications Director
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia City Council accepted applications for the open City Council Position #5. The position became open on December 31, 2024, when vacated by Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley following her election to the State Legislature in the November 2024 General Election.
The Olympia City Council is tasked with appointing a new member to serve in Position #5, until the certification of the November 2025 General Election, when the public will elect a candidate to fill the Position #5 term.
Council received 24 applications by the December 13, 2024, deadline. Along with their applications, the applicants were required to submit a cover letter, proof of voter registration, residency information, and a resume. Twenty-two (22) applicants met the residency and age requirements needed to be considered for appointment.
Councilmembers have each independently evaluated and ranked the applications with consideration to which applicants to move forward for interviews. Each councilmember sent their individual rankings to Strategic Communications Director Kellie Purce Braseth by December 30, and the rankings were compiled for discussion of candidates for interviews (see attached).
Councilmembers will discuss how many applicants to interview and the interview format (groups, round robin, individual interviews).
Councilmembers have reserved Monday, January 13, 2025, for applicant interviews. At the January 13 meeting, before the actual interviews begin, Councilmembers will confirm proposed questions together and settle on which will be asked by whom.
The eventual appointee is expected to participate in the City Council’s annual goal-setting retreat on January 24-25, 2025. The appointee will serve from the time of their appointment until the November 2025 General Election results are certified. To serve out the remainder of the Position #5 term, which ends December 31, 2025, the appointee will have to be elected to the position in the November 2025 General Election.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Olympia City Council serves as the community’s legislative body, responsible for approving ordinances and resolutions, and establishing City policy that impacts the lives and livability of the community.
Climate Analysis:
No climate impacts are evident.
Equity Analysis:
The City Council appointment process is an opportunity to reduce disparities in participation among marginalized communities in City of Olympia’s processes and decisions.
Financial Impact:
No cost is associated in the recruitment and appointment process. Positions #5 receives an annual salary of $25,695.73 and a benefit stipend of $6,195.71 for a total compensation of $31,891.44.
Options:
1. Move to approve a process and a slate of applicants to move forward for interviews to fill the vacant City Council Position #5 seat.
2. Do not move to approve a process and a slate of applicants to move forward for interviews to fill the vacant City Council Position #5 seat. The task to appoint would fall to the Thurston County Commission if not completed in 90 days.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Applications
Compiled Application Rankings