Published January 10 2017
The City Council will soon have an open seat, after Councilmember Vandana Slatter announced plans to resign during Monday night's extended study session. Slatter's pending departure is due to an appointment by the King County Council to represent the 48th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives. The effective date of her resignation is Saturday.
"During her time on the city council, Vandana has been very engaged and making a difference for our community," said Mayor John Stokes. "She was supportive of placing the successful fire facility upgrades and neighborhood transportation measures on the ballot, purchasing the Highland Village apartments to preserve affordable housing, and passing a balanced biennial budget. Vandana will be well positioned for keeping the city perspective in mind as she takes on her new role at the state capitol in Olympia."
"It has been an honor to serve the people of Bellevue," said Slatter. "I am so grateful for this opportunity to represent the 48th Legislative District and continue advocating for this vibrant, innovative and diverse community. I plan to bring my experience as a city councilmember and unique perspective to address key issues that affect the families and communities in the 48th District."
Slatter is in the second year of her four-year term, having been on the council since January 2016.
The council will have 90 days from Jan. 14 to fill the vacated Position 5 seat. According to the Revised Code of Washington, the council has flexibility in how the seat is filled. State law requires that the person is a Bellevue resident for at least one year and a registered voter. The council will decide how to proceed in filling the seat at an upcoming meeting.
In addition, the term for the appointed councilmember would only run through certification of the November General Election. The ballot for the November General election will include the Position 5 seat along with the positions 2, 4 and 6. The elected councilmember for the Position 5 term would be sworn in once the election is certified by King County Elections through the original term date of Dec. 31, 2019.
The 48th District seat became vacant when current State Representative Patty Kuderer was appointed to state senator in the 48th. That seat became available when Cyrus Habib won his race in November for lieutenant governor.
The City Council is made up of seven councilmembers who are elected-at-large and serve staggered four-year terms. The councilmembers, in turn, select a mayor and deputy mayor from among themselves.