Vacant council seat filled
Back to business. Former council member Phil Oels accepted a council seat that will expire in November 2018, due to a vacancy left by Steve Clifton. Photo by Lauren WestmorelandA special meeting of the Portola City Council was called Wednesday, Feb. 1, to fill the council seat left vacant by Steve Clifton.
After winning the seat in the November 2016 municipal election, Clifton informed the council that he would not be able to take the position. The council requested that staff place the item on the next available agenda so it could discuss options for filling the vacancy.
The item was added to the agenda for the Jan. 11 meeting wherein the council determined to fill the vacancy by appointment and to solicit letters of interest from the community. The city only received one letter of interest, that from former council member Phil Oels, which read as follows:
“Honorable Mayor Larrieu and Council Members, I am writing to express my interest in filling the current vacancy on the City Council. I loved the time I spent [on the council] during my last term and the things that we accomplished. I would be honored to accept another term as a council member.”
The council unanimously agreed to appoint Phil Oels to the position, and City Clerk Melissa Klundby administered the oath of office to Oels. With a round of applause, Oels took his seat and rejoined the council, where he will hold the seat until November 2018.
