PORT ANGELES — The six-member City Council began its first meeting of the year Tuesday by selecting Council member Dan Di Guilio as mayor.
The council members chose Di Guilio in a 5-0 vote, with Di Guilio abstaining. They deadlocked over a selection for the deputy mayor position.
Council members Cherie Kidd and Don Perry each received three votes for the position. Both voted for themselves. Council members Max Mania and Pat Downie voted for Kidd, while Council members Brooke Nelson and Di Guilio voted for Perry.
The council unanimously voted to postpone selecting a deputy mayor until a seventh member is appointed to fill the position vacated by Larry Little.
Little, who was elected Nov. 3, submitted his resignation letter to the council Tuesday. He announced last week he would resign, saying he had decided that he could not fulfill his role on the council while his wife, Michelle, battles breast cancer.
Little had been sworn in early, on Dec. 23. He had said he would be unable to take the oath of office in January because of “some unexpected health issues in my family.”
Jan. 15 deadline
On Tuesday, the council chose to request applications from residents for the position with a Jan. 15 deadline.
Interviews will occur at 5 p.m. Jan. 20 during a special council meeting in the council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St. A decision may be made then or at the council’s Feb. 2 meeting.
The position will be up for election in November 2011.
Clallam County Auditor Patty Rosand said the city has to wait until the council’s next general election to put the position before the voters.
It cannot place the position on any other ballot, she said.
Mania, Nelson sworn in
Shortly before Tuesday’s meeting, City Clerk Janessa Hurd swore Mania and Nelson into office.
Downie took the oath of office on Dec. 23 with Little, opting for the early swearing-in so his visiting family members could attend.
No one other than Di Guilio was nominated for mayor.
Kidd, who nominated him, said: “I wish to nominate an experienced man with integrity: Mr. Dan Di Guilio.”
“I wholeheartedly support it,” Perry said.
Di Guilio was elected in November 2007. Kidd and Perry also were elected then. All three are serving their first terms in office.
Di Guilio also is the chairman of the William Shore Memorial Pool District commission and a Clallam Transit commissioner as a city representative.
He is also a former Clallam Transit general manager.
The former mayor, Gary Braun, had served 16 years on the council — which, Hurd said, is to the best of her knowledge the most years served in Port Angeles’ history — and decided not to run for re-election last year.
Mayor’s job largely ceremonial
The mayor’s job is largely ceremonial, but does come with a slight pay increase.
The position’s responsibilities include chairing council meetings, helping to shape the council’s agenda, and acting as the public face of the city.
The council, which is responsible for deciding city policy, approving resolutions and the budget, hires a city manager to run the day-to-day operations of the city.
The mayor receives $650 per month, the deputy mayor gets $600 per month, and the other council members are paid $500 per month.
The council selects one of its own to be mayor and deputy mayor every two years.
The deputy mayor fills in during the mayor’s absence.
Little, Mania, Downie and Nelson were each elected in the November general election.
Mania replaced Larry Williams, who was up against a term limit, on the council.
Downie replaced Karen Rogers, who did not seek re-election.
Nelson replaced Betsy Wharton, who she defeated in the November election.
Little was elected to the position held by Braun.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
