On Friday, the Arvada City Council will have an open seat among them.
In a Democratic Vacancy meeting, Dec. 10, Arvada City Councilwoman Rachel Zenzinger, was appointed to the Colorado Senate District 19, the seat formerly held by Evie Hudak. With this new appointment, Zenzinger vacates her District 1 position on the council.
“I'm very pleased for Rachel, I think she'll do a great job in the Senate,” Mayor Marc Williams said, “Now we'll have a friend in municipal issues down at the statehouse.”
Catching wind of Zenzinger's interest in the position, the Arvada City Council prepared for her possible appointment and the vacancy, a situation which, according to Councilman Bob Dyer, hasn't happened before.
“In all the time I've been on the city council and viewed it in the audience, I don't remember there ever being a vacancy,” Councilman Bob Dyer said, “I'm not sure what to expect.”
This is the first time in Arvada's council history where an appointment was held for a seat vacated for a senate appointment, leaving the council 30 days to find a replacement who resides within district one's boundaries (Northeast Arvada).
“Rachel was unopposed in her election for her seat,” Mayor Williams said. “It's an opportunity for a fresh face, someone who meshes well with council, who can make the time commitment and who will listen to the citizens.”
Interested parties will then have until noon, Dec. 30 to submit a letter to the council, applying for the position. Once all applications have been received, the council will review them, hold interviews, a public hearing, and then make their final selection. The new councilmember will serve from the date they are appointed until the 2015 regular election.
“It's quite a job, and unfortunately people have such a small amount of time to think about it,” Dyer said. “I would hope that people who apply have an understanding of the issue at hand and hope that someone will have knowledge of the city council.”
Zenzinger will officially resign her position with the council, Friday, prior to swearing in with the Colorado Senate. Interested parties can gain more information by visiting arvada.org or contacting the city clerk, Chris Koch, at 720-898-7545.