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<br /> <br />questions. There were none. She then inquired if Ms. Fynewever had any follow up questions for the Council. <br /> <br />Ms. Fynewever explained she spoke with staff about whether or not the Council was looking to find someone <br />to bridge the Council through 2020 or to find someone who will run in November. She understood this <br />decision does not need to be made at this time, but asked if the Council was looking for someone who was <br />willing to seek election in November. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth commented this was an excellent question and noted at this time she did not care <br />about finding someone who was willing to run in November, but rather wanted to appoint someone who was <br />willing to work, along with being engaged and involved. She indicated she had no thoughts about the <br />upcoming election but rather wanted to appoint someone who was committed to the citizens and the City of <br />New Brighton. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen discussed the screening process that was followed by staff noting only people who had <br />demonstrated a strong commitment to the City were being interviewed for this appointment. He indicated he <br />would be looking to appoint a candidate that wanted to be involved and have demonstrated a commitment to <br />the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson commented it was not the City Council’s job to influence future elections but rather to find <br />someone who will fill this position for the next nine months. She wanted to appoint someone who was willing <br />to dig deep and work hard in these unprecedented times. She indicated she was not considering the future <br />election as she believed this would be decided by the voters. <br /> <br />Ms. Fynewever understood the time commitment was extensive. She asked what the weekly meeting <br />requirement would be. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen stated Councilmembers met on Tuesdays and holds both worksession and Council <br />meetings. He indicated meetings could be held on off days when needed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth reported the Councilmembers also serve as a liaison to one of the City’s <br />Commissions which requires additional meeting attendance. <br /> <br /> <br />Discussion Regarding Filling the City Council Vacancy <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson stated the Council had a very difficult decision before them. She indicated the Council had <br />interviewed six very strong candidates for the open seat. She recommended the Council hold this discussion in <br />the same manner as was done for the City Manager and noted each candidate has been assigned a letter. She <br />proposed the Council start by eliminating two candidates. She suggested candidate A and D be eliminated. <br /> <br />The Council supported this recommendation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen recommended candidate C also be eliminated from consideration. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen and Councilmember Dunsworth agreed with this suggestion. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson believed candidate C did not offer any information regarding the budgeting process and the <br />current situation the City would be facing for the next nine months. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen supported candidate B being appointed to the open seat due to the extensive