Soap Lake City Council appoints new member

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council filled its vacant seat at the end of its regular meeting on Wednesday night. Kat Sanderson will take the Soap Lake City Council position 6 seat.

“I’m honored that they chose me,” said Sanderson.

After Soap Lake Mayor Alex Kovach resigned on May 4, the Mayor Pro-Tem, Michelle Agliano, was voted in as the new Mayor of Soap Lake by the council on May 20 after a misstep in the May 18 meeting to appoint her. The appointment of Agliano created the vacant City Council Position 6 seat. Council member Leslie Taylor was appointed the new Mayor Pro-Tem at the same meeting as Agliano’s initial appointment.

At the May 18 council meeting, Agliano announced that they would be taking letters of intent for the open council position to fill at the June 1 meeting. They had five total applicants.

After a short interview of the applicants that attended the meeting, the council went into an executive session to review the applicants. After about 15 minutes the council came back with a decision.

“I am going to encourage all the applicants if you're not voted in, there are elections coming up,” said Agliano. “And if you want to be on this council, please run for election.”

Right after, council members motioned and seconded Sanderson’s appointment to the seat, which was followed by a unanimous vote.

Sanderson had nine years of previous experience serving on the Soap Lake City Council and has lived in Soap Lake since 2001. She said in her interview that she could bring knowledge and experience on previously made decisions of the council and projects they manage. She also said she was familiar with city ordinances, policies and procedures, which would save the city money on training.

“Soap Lake is on the move and I am excited to be a part of that,” Sanderson said.

Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.