Town council vacancy open for applications

The La Conner Town Council started the process for filling the vacancy left by Jacques Brunisholz’s resignation at its Sept. 14 meeting, but the eight week schedule they agreed to means whomever they choose will be approved Nov. 9 at the earliest. That is after the Nov. 2 election and only two council meetings before the 2022 budget will be approved Dec. 14.

While the only qualifications for council are being a town resident and a registered voter, council was presented by Town Administrator Scott Thomas with a 14 page packet. The town is required by law to advertise the position for two weeks in the local newspaper before they can close applications.

That ad is in this week’s Weekly News.

Councilmember John Leaver asked if they could interview at their Oct. 12 meeting after approving the process, but after members responded Thomas pointed out the Oct. 26 meeting would be the first opportunity to consider applications. No one endorsed his suggestion for calling special meetings to hasten the timeline. MaryLee Chamberlain wanted the seat filled sooner than later, but discussion revolved around application materials and the interview schedule.

Mary Wohleb called for no formal application to make it easier to apply and then have councilmembers discuss issues at the interview. Leaver and Chamberlain endorsed applicants submitting a cover letter and resume. While Wohleb suggested interviews be done by Oct. 26, Bill Stokes’ call for council making the “final decision on applicants on the 9th of November” won the day, with applications due Oct. 15.

Thomas said two people had already submitted letters and resumes for the position.

Council approved 4-0 a resolution setting next year’s business license fees following their adopting Ordinance 1202 in August. Licenses will be purchased through the Washington state Business License Service. Council voted to expand to nine categories from four and base fees on business revenues rather than number of employees. See story, page 3.

Council also approved a $2,000 contract for software services with Vision Software of Spokane.

Resident Matt May again asked council for changing the times of the noise ordinance for New Year’s Eve for a fundraiser dance for La Conner Live’s summer Sunday concerts. Russell Chandler, a resident representing La Conner Live, also spoke, requesting guests be allowed in Maple Hall until 12:30 a.m. and give organizers till 2 a.m. for cleanup. The facilities committee will meet to discuss it.

There were again complaints from off-site participants that they could not hear much of the Maple Hall discussion. Resident Kai Ottesen spoke for his wife Jules Riske about the poor quality of council meeting telecommunications.

The Sgt. Jeff Willard from the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office promoted watching for students traveling to school and asked that drivers be extra cautious of children walking, biking and scootering to and from school.

Mayor Ramon Hayes missed the meeting, Thomas reporting he was feeling “under the weather.”

The Town’s ad for the council vacancy is in this week’s Weekly News. Get the application at townoflaconner.org. Questions, call 360-466-3125.