Only two weeks after a heartfelt Nov. 17 meeting memorializing the late Council Member Sue Bangert, the council got a Dec. 1 update from Mayor Ken Willcox on filling the seat left open by Bangert.
The council will appoint a resident to the seat and is taking applications until Dec. 9. Applications are available at City Hall or at www.wayzata.org.
As of Dec. 7, Tom Tanner had applied. Tanner is the chairperson of the city's planning commission.
The City Council plans to appoint a resident to the council at the Dec. 15 meeting, after it approves its levy.
Willcox said the council aimed to proceed on the appointment with some speed. The term would begin immediately and last for about a year, until the next city election.
Council members have been looking for people with the right background, knowledge and commitment, Willcox said, and they've already contacted some to ask if they're interested.
"What we found was a number of people who had the skills and ability but were reluctant to take on the role," Willcox said.
What's more: "There were some people who felt we ought to open it up more broadly," Willcox said.
So the council opted to ask for applications.
Council members will consider applications, do informal interviews and make a decision, though the council isn't limited to those who've applied, Willcox said.
If the vote on the appointment is tied after three rounds of voting, the mayor must make the appointment.
A Nov. 16 report from City Attorney Bob Meller recommended that the council proceed immediately on filling the seat.
"[The] council should take steps immediately to identify possible candidates to fill the vacancy on council. [The] council could publicly ask for declarations of potential candidates tomorrow night and conduct interviews; alternatively, however, it could appoint a qualified candidate either tomorrow, or at the December meeting to fill the vacancy," Meller stated.
