Mountlake Terrace — The Mountlake Terrace City Council appointed William Page Jr. to fill the vacant Position 3 following a multi-step selection process Tuesday night, the council announced after completing candidate interviews and an executive session.

Council members used a two-round voting method the city manager proposed: in the first round each council member cast three votes among the candidates; the top vote-getters advanced to a second round in which each council member cast two votes. A subsequent final vote between the top two produced a 4-2 outcome in favor of William Page Jr.

The selection followed a period in which the council interviewed a dozen applicants for the vacancy. The city manager introduced the voting method during the meeting, saying, "What we would suggest is that we place each candidate's name on the screen, for consideration and have two rounds, essentially." After the first round Benjamin Ho received five votes, William Page Jr. received four, and Michelle Delpion and Forrest Bridal each received three, producing a four-way field for the second round because of the tie.

In the second round council members cast two votes for the four finalists; the council then moved to a final single-choice ballot between the top two candidates. On that final vote Council Member Murray voted for William Page Jr.; Council Member Ryan and Council Member Sonmore voted for Forrest Bridal; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Wall and Council Member Woodard voted for William Page Jr.; and Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto Wright voted for William Page Jr. The final tally was four votes for Page and two for Bridal. A motion to appoint William Page Jr. carried and the council declared the vacancy filled.

Prior to the appointment the council convened an executive session under the cited state open-meeting authority and reconvened in public to complete the selection. The council scheduled the formal swearing-in for the new member at the next regular meeting on April 10.

Council members who oversaw the selection emphasized that many applicants were qualified and encouraged those not selected to remain involved in city boards, commissions and community efforts. The council did not adopt any other policy changes as part of the appointment process.

The meeting record shows the city manager and city clerk administered the logistics of the vote and name display; city clerk Jennifer Jokey read candidate names during the rounds. No litigation, ordinance adoption, or budget actions were taken as part of the appointment vote.

The council’s vote fills the council’s Position 3 vacancy; the new member will assume duties after the scheduled swearing-in at the next council meeting.