Soap Lake appoints new city council member
Steve Wellein, standing, watches the Soap Lake City Council as they officially approve his appointment to fill the vacant city council position until an official election for the position will be held.
GABRIEL DAVIS/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Council members Allen DuPuy, Karen Woodhouse, Leslie Taylor, Kayleen Bryson and JoAnn Rushton review Soap Lake’s updated purchasing manual during Wednesday’s regular meeting in the Soap Lake Community and Senior Center.
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed a motion during Wednesday’s meeting to approve the appointment of Steve Wellein to serve on the council in position 6, which has been vacant since the resignation of council member Kat Sanderson.
Wellein explained why he wanted to return to a position on the council several years after stepping back from the job following a six year period of service.
“I’m worried,” said Wellein. “I’m worried about finances. I’m scared to death, frankly.”
Separately, Wellein said he was concerned about accounting and budgeting in the city. He said he’s noticed things for a while that weren’t handled as effectively as he might have liked and he hoped to address those concerns.
Recent reports from the State Auditor’s Office show a variety of concerns that fall under those categories, with multiple findings related to bookkeeping not being done according to best practices.
Council members interviewed Wellein for the vacant position during the regular meeting, asking him about his experience, qualifications, and his previous service on the council.
Wellein said he has lived in Soap Lake for 25 years and served for 12 years on the Board of Directors at McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Soap Lake, 10 of those years as board president.
Council Member Leslie Taylor said she appreciated Wellein’s insight that he could bring to the council..
“I would welcome you on this council, and especially in the light that this is a limited term of service…I would ask that you help us figure out how we can be more effective,” she said.
At the end of the meeting the council members filed into a private room for an executive session to discuss and vote on Weillen’s appointment. Following their deliberation the council returned and announced Wellein’s official appointment to the Soap Lake City Council.
Wellein said he had goals for the time he will be appointed to fill the council seat.
“Budget and planning, and curtailment of unnecessary expenses,” said Wellein.
Soap Lake Mayor Michelle Agliano noted that she was very confident in Wellein’s ability to serve on the council.
“He’s for this city, and he’s definitely got the qualifications,” she said.
Agliano said the city took applications for the position for two weeks after Sanderson moved away from Soap Lake and resigned her position. Weillen was the only person to apply.
“He will fit in with the council because he knows how things have been done in the past…and he keeps his ear to the ground, so he knows kind of what’s going on,” said Agliano.
Gabriel Davis may be reached at gdavis@columbiabasinherald.com.
