Council President Bruce Harrell (District 2, South Seattle) today announced updates regarding applicants to fill the vacancy left by Councilmember Rob Johnson (District 4, Northeast Seattle) and preliminary details for a public forum as part of the process to fill the vacancy. Johnson made his resignation known publicly last month, and served his last day in an elected capacity on Friday, April 5.
Seattle City Clerk Monica Martinez Simmons provided Councilmembers the final applicant list confirming the eligibility of thirteen applicants pursuant to City Charter requirements. Applicants were invited to submit a resume, cover letter (applicants were encouraged to address prior experience with planning and land use, in their cover letter or reflected elsewhere in their materials as submitted), completed financial interest statement form, and up to three references (optional) along with a signed reference authorization form.
Completed application materials will be made available to Councilmembers in hard copy form and made available on the Council vacancy website no later than Tuesday, April 9.
The eligible applicants from the memo, listed here in alphabetical order, are: Brooke Brod, Darby DuComb, Kathryn Gardow, David A. Goldberg, Jordan Goldwarg, Sherae Lascelles, Jay Lazerwitz, Juan Martinez, Abel Pacheco Jr., Marjorie Press, Bruce Rips, Maritza Rivera, and Luke Wigren.
In accordance with Ordinance 125479, the Council in consultation with the community will convene a Public Forum on Friday, April 12 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Bertha Knight Landes Room. We are asking the public, community organizations, and qualified applicants to hold this date for the public forum and final details will be distributed by a subsequent media advisory this week.
- WHO: Candidates to fill Council vacancy in District 4
- WHAT: Moderated Public Forum, to allow community groups and audience members to ask the qualified applicants questions.
- WHEN: Friday, April 12 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- WHERE: City Hall, Seattle — Bertha Knight Landes Room (Floor 1)
- WHY: In accordance with Council Bill 119138
- Please NOTE: The public forum will be recorded and televised by Seattle Channel.
By Tuesday, April 9, the public can review all the applications online and submit comments via council@seattle.gov. Additionally, the public has the opportunity to provide comment at the following upcoming meetings:
- Public Forum: Friday, April 12, 5:30 p.m., Bertha Knight Landes Room – City Hall
- City Council Meeting: Monday, April 15, 2:00 p.m., Council Chambers
- Special City Council Meeting: Wednesday, April 17, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers
- City Council Meeting: Monday, April 22, 2:00 p.m., Council Chambers
The Special City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 17, 5:30 p.m., will provide qualified applicants the opportunity to formally present a 3-minute presentation and respond to questions from City Councilmembers. The public will have the opportunity to provide comments.
The Council will vote to fill the vacancy at the 2:00 p.m. Full Council meeting on Monday, April 22.
The City Charter gives the City Council 20 calendar days to fill a vacant City Council position. This period began on April 6, 2019, the day following Johnson’s official resignation, and ends on April 25, 2019. As such, the last regular business day to make the decision within the 20-day period would be April 25, 2019.
From the date of the appointment, the newly appointed Councilmember who will be filling the vacancy will serve until November 26, 2019, the date all election results are certified by King County Elections, and the newly elected Councilmember representing District 4 takes the oath of office.