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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, Apri114, 2008 Page 23 Roll Call Ayes: Ihlan; Roe; Pust; and Klausing. Nays: None. d. Approve Process to fill a Vacancy on the City Council Councilmember Ihlan referenced the February 2008 letter from Councilmember Kough on several suggestions for the process to fill out his unexpired term; with Councilmember Ihlan concentrating on his suggestion that the next highest vote getter in the past municipal election fill out that term. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of following that suggestion as the best way to honor and respect Councilmember Kough's memory; opining that it represented sound policy, was the right thing to do, and was the best route to ensure continued representation of his constituents. Councilmember Ihlan strongly encouraged Council consensus on this suggestion, avoiding a contested political issue and split Council vote, with unilateral appointment by the Mayor, opining that such a process would not be in the best interest of the community. Ihlan moved to follow Tom's wish and appoint the last highest vote getter in a municipal election. Mayor Klausing opined that Councilmember Kough's letter suggested a person, rather than a process; further opining that Councilmember Kough had always ad- vocated for an application process for vacancies as demanded by a full public process; and spoke in support of Councilmember Kough's wishes considered as a factor by the Council as a whole. Councilmember Ihlan again read a portion of Councilmember Kough's letter, opining that he didn't specify an individual, but that only one person fit the de- scription and having broad community support, and opined that it made no sense to take applications, and any other option would simply serve as a political ap- pointment. Councilmember Pust clarified, while publicly reading Councilmember Kough's letter in its entirety, that Councilmember Kough had provided several suggestions. Councilmember Pust opined that, while Councilmember Ihlan may prefer one of those two options, there may be other views to consider. Councilmember Pust expressed frustration with Councilmember Ihlan's negative inference that the only way for Councilmembers to honor Councilmember Kough was by agreement or endorsement of Councilmember Ihlan's proposal; and suggested instead that the best way to honor Councilmember Kough's memory was for each individual Councilmember to live their own values, listen to each opinion, and then do what they deemed best for the City.