Lakeville City Council sets process to fill council seat
Application process begins today
The Lakeville City Council approved a resolution Monday that allows candidates to apply for the open City Council seat vacated by Mayor Matt Little starting Tuesday.
The process gives candidates seeking to complete the remaining two years of Little’s council term until Jan. 24 to submit their application.
Council is expected to review the applications at its Jan. 29 work session and determine the next steps in the process and if interviews will be conducted.
It is anticipated the new member would be appointed in February.
To be eligible for the council position, applicants must be a U.S. citizen and qualified voter at least 21 years old who resides in Lakeville.
Applicants will be asked to complete a form that provides basic information, including employment and education background.
They are also asked questions that include how council can encourage citizen involvement, how they would handle controversial issues and their philosophy about local government’s appropriate function and responsibilities.
Applications are due to City Hall by 4:30 p.m. Jan. 24; they can be returned in person, by mail or emailed to cfriedges@lakevillemn.gov.
Little was elected to the City Council in 2010, and won election as mayor in November, beating incumbent Mark Bellows, who had served on the council for a decade before being elected mayor in 2010, and fellow Council Member Laurie Rieb, who had served on the council since 2001.
Little was sworn into office Monday, as was new Council Member Doug Anderson, a member of the Finance Committee who acccepted Little’s recommendation to become City Council representative for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in 2013.
Incumbent Kerrin Swecker, who has served on the council since 2007, will also take the oath of office tonight.
Minnesota Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea administered the oath to Little.
Dakota County Judge Thomas Poch administered the oath to the council members.
