Mill Creek accepting applications for council seat

The previous occupant stepped down after revealing he had moved out of city limits.

MILL CREEK — The city is seeking applicants for an empty council seat whose former occupant stepped down months after moving to another city.

Sean Kelly won a decisive re-election to the City Council in November. But he later admitted to Snohomish County elections officials that he had moved over the summer from Mill Creek to Snohomish. He resigned in late November.

In December, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel denied a request from Kelly’s election opponent, Carmen Fisher, to decertify the election and declare her the winner instead. Kelly won the election, the judge ruled, but was not qualified to hold the office.

Kelly has reimbursed the city for the salary he collected from August through November, city officials said.

The remaining members of the City Council decided Tuesday to start accepting applications for the vacant seat. To be eligible, a candidate must be a registered voter who has been living in the city for at least a year.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 1. City officials expect to conduct candidate interviews during an open public meeting starting around 6 p.m. Feb. 6.

The city says the appointment would expire in November 2019, when results are certified for an election to fill the final two years of the term.

Questions about Kelly’s residency first surfaced in the weekly Mill Creek Beacon in September.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Learn more

Candidates interested in applying for a Mill Creek City Council vacancy can find an application packet online or in person at City Hall, 15728 Main St. Application materials must be received by 5 p.m. Feb. 1. To be eligible, candidates must have been a resident of the city of Mill Creek for at least one year immediately before the time of application and must be registered to vote in the city of Mill Creek.

More info: www.cityofmillcreek.com/vacantcouncilseat

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