Lake Stevens City Council appoints new member to fill vacancy

LAKE STEVENS — The Lake Stevens City Council appointed a new member this week, filling a vacancy left by former member Shawn Fredericks’ departure.

Ryan Donoghue was selected by a unanimous vote following a round of interviews at Tuesday’s council meeting. Donoghue is an attorney and business consultant who moved to Lake Stevens in 2016 while a law student at Seattle University, according to his letter of application to the council. He and his wife have two children.

In his application, Donoghue said his work experience in budgetary analysis and interpreting statutes would make him a natural fit for City Council. In his interview with the council, he said priorities were improving public safety and managing the city’s growth.

Donoghue did not respond to The Daily Herald’s request for comment.

The seven finalists interviewed Tuesday were chosen from 20 applicants, City Clerk Kelly Chelin said. Among the finalists were Brian McManus, who currently serves on the city’s Civil Service Commission, and Planning Commission chair Todd Welch. Welch previously served on the council for eight years before losing election to current council member Mary Dickinson in 2019.

Departing council member Frederick, whose seat Donoghue will fill until the next election in 2023, won an election three years ago. He’s resigning from his council position due to a work-related move that will take him outside city limits, Mayor Brett Gailey said at Tuesday’s meeting.

Frederick has served as administrator of the Snohomish County Health District for three years, a position from which he will also retire at the end of 2022.

Riley Haun: 425-339-3192; riley.haun@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @RHaunID.