City Council hears from applicants as contest for open seat nears end
March 2, 2011
NEW — 11 a.m. March 2, 2011
City Council applicants, dressed in suits and skirts, on Tuesday night faced the half dozen city leaders responsible for selecting a resident to serve on the council for the next 10 months.
The council listened for about 90 minutes as the nine candidates in the race to succeed former Councilwoman Maureen McCarry outlined goals for Issaquah.
Then, after the presentations, the council met in a closed-door session to discuss candidates’ qualifications. The decision to appoint a resident to the Position 5 seat is expected to occur Monday.
“I think almost everybody who put their hand up to come be a council member is well-spoken, outspoken and opinionated,” longtime Development Commission member and applicant Mary Lou Pauly said. “We’re all going to participate as actively as we can. That means doing our homework, reading the reports, getting prepared and then coming to the meetings with something to offer.”
City Council interviews applicants Tuesday
February 28, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Feb. 28, 2011
The nine applicants for a City Council vacancy face the council Tuesday night, as the process to select a successor to former Councilwoman Maureen McCarry nears a coda.
Candidates face the council in public interviews scheduled for a special council meeting at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 135 E. Sunset Way. Then, after the 10-minute interviews, council members could recess into a closed-door executive session to discuss candidates’ qualifications.
Under state law, the council can discuss candidates’ qualifications in a closed-door session, but interviews and the decision must occur in public meetings.
Many candidates bring experience in municipal government or a keen understanding of council business to the interview process.
The vote to appoint a member to the council is scheduled for March 7, though the appointee might not join the council until later in the month. The salary for council members is $700 per month.
City Council candidates offer varied skills for post
February 15, 2011
Interviews start March 1 for nine council contenders
Candidates offer assorted skills for the open City Council seat created after Maureen McCarry resigned in late December.
The candidates bring backgrounds in community, military and municipal service to the interview process.
The midterm opening for the Position 5 seat attracted nine candidates.
Candidates face the council in public interviews scheduled for March 1. Then, after the 10-minute interviews, council members could recess into a closed-door executive session to discuss candidates’ qualifications.
Under state law, the council can discuss candidates’ qualifications in a closed-door session, but interviews and the decision must occur in public meetings.
The vote to appoint a member to the council is scheduled for March 7, though the appointee might not join the council until later in the month. The salary for council members is $700 per month.
McCarry created the vacancy late last year after she resigned to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
City Council vacancy attracts nine applicants
February 8, 2011
The contenders in the running to succeed Maureen McCarry on the City Council include people familiar to city leaders.
Joe Forkner has served on the council before, including a stint as a caretaker member after a councilwoman resigned. Stacy Goodman, past editor of The Issaquah Press, used to cover City Hall as a reporter. Nathan Perea campaigned against Tola Marts for the open Position 7 seat in 2009. Paul Winterstein managed Marts’ successful campaign. Other applicants serve on municipal boards and commissions.
The rare midterm opening for the Position 5 seat attracted nine candidates.
In addition to Forkner, Goodman, Perea and Winterstein, the lineup includes Michael Beard, a district manager for a facilities maintenance company, attorney Cristina Mehling, Urban Village Development Commission member Nina Milligan, Boeing analyst Erik Olson and Development Commission member Mary Lou Pauly.
Candidates face the council in public interviews scheduled for March 1. Then, after the 10-minute interviews, council members could recess into a closed-door executive session to discuss candidates’ qualifications.
Under state law, the council can discuss candidates’ qualifications in a closed-door session, but interviews and the decision must occur in public meetings.
City seeks civic-minded citizens for volunteer posts
January 6, 2011
NEW — 4 p.m. Jan. 6, 2011
City leaders seek civic-minded citizens to serve on municipal boards and shape environmental and land-use decisions, guide the future of municipal parks, and foster relationships between Issaquah and the international community.
The city has openings on 11 boards and commissions. Not all applicants must be Issaquah residents.
Candidates can pick up the application at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way, during regular business hours.
Applicants must submit signed and completed applications and city forms by noon Jan. 31.
In the weeks ahead, city staffers contact applicants and schedule interviews for February.
City hosts park-planning picnic
August 10, 2010
Bring ideas to free Aug. 26 event
Head outside, grab a hot dog and offer ideas about the latest addition to the city parks system.
The city Parks & Recreation Department will host a picnic Aug. 26 for residents to share ideas about the downtown parks at the confluence of Issaquah Creek and the East Fork: Tollë Anderson, Cybil-Madeline and Issaquah Creek parks.
The parks department planned the picnic for the 15.5-acre site in order for people to understand the terrain.
“We want people to see the land, walk the land, see the farmhouses and walk the creek to get a sense of it,” city Parks & Recreation Director Anne McGill said.
The city maintains the historic Anderson and Ek farmhouses and farm buildings at the parks site. Read more
Council confirms board and commission appointments
May 11, 2010
Former City Council candidates Nathan Perea and Vincent Ippolito will serve the city in a different capacity in the years ahead: as volunteer members of a city commission.
City Council members confirmed 35 appointees to city boards and commissions May 3. The appointees — selected by board officers and Mayor Ava Frisinger — advise officials about everything including development, the environment and the arts.
The mayor reappointed 18 members and chose 20 people for other positions. Some appointees, like former Councilman Joe Forkner, serve on multiple boards.
“Congratulations, and welcome to the many volunteers who will be helping the city with a wide array of issues and important work,” Frisinger said after the council OK’d the appointments.
Rules do not require appointees to live in Issaquah, but officials said most of the members reside in the city. The council praised members for donating time and expertise to the myriad boards and commissions.
City Council confirms board and commission appointments
May 7, 2010
NEW — 11:30 a.m. May 7, 2010
Former City Council candidates Nathan Perea and Vincent Ippolito will serve the city in a different capacity in the years ahead: as volunteer members of a city commission.
City Council members confirmed 35 appointees to city boards and commissions Monday. The appointees — selected by board officers and Mayor Ava Frisinger — advise officials about everything from development to the environment to the arts.
The mayor reappointed 18 members and chose 20 people for other positions. Some appointees, like former Councilman Joe Forkner, serve on multiple boards.
“Congratulations and welcome to the many volunteers who will be helping the city with a wide array of issues and important work,” Frisinger said after the council OK’d the appointments.
Apply to serve city as a board member or commissioner
January 12, 2010
Help shape the way Issaquah develops, advise officials about growth and even increase public art throughout the city. Read more
Apply to serve city as a board member or commissioner
January 9, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Jan. 9, 2010
Help shape the way Issaquah develops, advise officials about growth and even increase public art throughout the city.
City leaders seek members for 12 city boards and commissions. Not all applicants must be Issaquah residents. Officials need regular and alternate members. Alternate members serve in the absence of regular members.
Pick up application forms at the City Clerk’s Office on the second floor at City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way. Find the form here.
