FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/2/2015
City Council announces process to fill Council vacancy
SEATTLE – Council President Tim Burgess announced today the process to fill the vacancy in Council Position 9.
“I believe we can have an open and expeditious process to appoint a new member within the 20-day period called for in the City Charter,” said Council President Burgess. “The Council’s work over the next several months is particularly significant and we cannot slow down. Given the Council’s work and the unprecedented character of this fall’s election, I believe we should appoint an experienced ‘caretaker’ who pledges not to seek election to the Council this year.
“In this context, we need someone who can hit the ground running. It is important that candidates for appointment understand city government and the public policy issues associated with the Council’s Committee on Housing Affordability, Human Services and Economic Resiliency; demonstrate a commitment to social justice and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across cultures and with diverse populations; and desire to serve the people of Seattle and assume the responsibilities and accountability inherent in the work of a Councilmember.”
The Council will follow the process outlined below:
Application Period: Friday, April 3 through Tuesday, April 14 at 5:00 p.m.
Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to the City Clerk. The City Charter requires applicants be a citizen of the United States and a registered voter of the City of Seattle. Submissions can be made:
By email: CouncilAppointmentApplications@seattle.gov
In person: Seattle City Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 3rd Floor (600 Fourth Ave)
By mail: Office of the City Clerk s PO Box 94728 s Seattle, WA 98124-4728
By fax: 206-386-9025
City Clerk Transmission of Applications to Councilmembers: Wednesday, April 15
The City Clerk will provide to each Councilmember a notebook that includes all the applications received by the April 14 deadline. The City Clerk will also post all applications on the Council’s website, giving the public opportunity to review the applications and submit comments.
City Council Executive Session to Discuss Qualifications: Friday, April 17, 9:30 a.m.
As permitted by the Open Public Meetings Act, the Council will meet in executive session to discuss the qualifications of candidates.
City Council Selection of Finalists: Monday, April 20, 2:00 p.m.
The City Council will select a short list of finalists for the position at the Full Council meeting.
Presentations by Finalists to City Council: Wednesday, April 22, 5:30 p.m.
The City Council will convene a special public meeting to hear 3-minute presentations from the finalists, ask questions of the finalists, and receive comments from the public.
City Council Appointment: Monday, April 27, 2:00 p.m.
The Council will fill the vacancy at the Full Council meeting by a majority vote.
The City Charter gives the City Council 20 days to fill a vacant Council position. This period begins April 13, 2015, the day following Councilmember Sally J. Clark’s resignation. In the event the Council fails to fill the vacant position by the end of that 20-day period, the Council must meet every business day thereafter until the vacancy is filled.
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