Avalon City Council discusses succession plan to fill seat of deceased member, Pam Albers

AVALON—The Avalon City Council, after the death of council member Pam Albers in May, is being faced with the tough decision of filling her seat. Council members, during the June 4 meeting, agreed to appoint Albers’s replacement at the next meeting. Council members were given two options to fill Albers’s chair: appointing a new member or holding a special election. Ultimately, the council decided against the special election due to expense and timeliness. According to city staff, a special election could cost between $30,000 and $50,000 of taxpayers’ money. A special election would also be required to take place in October or November – council members were not keen on the idea of having a vacant chair for several months. City staff stated that council members would have 60 days to fill the seat if by appointment; the deadline is July 18. If a council member is appointed, they would not be appointed for Albers’ full term, which would have ended in 2022. Instead, the appointed council member will serve until the next election on March 3, 2020. Council members and the public were torn about the decision, many citing Albers’s fierce dedication to research and her position. Council member Cinde MacGugan-Cassidy mentioned the...