Sally Clark’s mid-term, mid-election retirement from the City Council has, indeed, created some new twists in Seattle’s politics. 44 people have registered to fill her position until the fall election brings in the new district-based council members. You’ll see some familiar names like Peter Steinbrueck, who played to the slow-growth crowd in his bid for the mayor’s office in 2013, and former City Council and County Council member Jan Drago. Others are less familiar. Others, you’ll need to tell us all about. CHS shared Council President Tim Burgess’s framework for finding Clark’s short-term replacement earlier this month. Part of the deal is the candidates will need to pledge not to use the short-term appointment as a springboard for a run at joining the council full-time. The roster and more on the process provided by the City Council is below.

City Council Receives Forty Four Applications for Vacancy

Updated Schedule for Appointment Consideration Announced 

SEATTLE – Council President Tim Burgess announced today that the Council has received forty four applications from Seattleites seeking to fill Council Position 9, the seat vacated by Sally J. Clark.  Candidate names, resumes and cover letters are available here for public review.  Council President Burgess also announced a revised schedule today to ensure all Councilmembers can be present for the presentations from finalists, now scheduled for April 24.

 

“Seattle has developed a reputation for deep civic engagement and the robust pool of applicants proves that once again,” said Burgess. “I thank all of these individuals for their willingness to consider public service on the Council.”

Members of the public can submit comments about potential appointees via email at [email protected], by calling Council offices, or in person at the meetings on April 20, 24 or 27.

The Council will follow the process outlined below:

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 and vote on a short list of finalists for the position at the Full Council meeting.

Presentations by Finalists to City Council: Friday, April 24, 4:00 p.m. [revised]
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 began April 13, 2015. 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.