The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai and Soldotna looking to fill council vacancies

The cities of Kenai and Soldotna are still looking to fill a vacancy on their city councils.

The cities of Kenai and Soldotna are still looking to fill a vacancy on their city councils.

The City of Soldotna posted notice of their vacancy on Oct. 15. During the Oct. 4 municipal election, Soldotna City Council members Justin Ruffridge and Pamela Parker ran unopposed for reelection. Paul Whitney, who prior to the election served on the city council, replaced Pete Sprague as mayor of Soldotna.

Whoever is appointed to the vacant seat will serve a partial term to end in Oct. 2021. In order to qualify for the seat, applicants must be a citizen of the United States, a qualified Alaska voter and must have been a Soldotna resident for at least one year preceding the date of application.

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According to Soldotna’s release, applicants will be interviewed during a city council meeting. After interviews are closed, the council will select an applicant to fill the vacancy by secret ballot.

Application information and the filing packet can be found at https://www.soldotna.org/home/showdocument?id=12578.

A spot on the Kenai City Council opened when former council member Robert Peterkin submitted his resignation on Nov. 6. Whoever is appointed to replace Peterkin will serve until the next municipal election.

The City of Kenai is accepting letters of interest and resumes from Kenai residents through Nov. 25 at noon. In order to qualify for the seat, candidates must be a qualified voter of the City of Kenai, be at least 21 years old and have been a resident of the City of Kenai for at least one year immediately preceding the appointment.

Individuals interested in applying for the seat may submit their letter of interest and resume in person, via email or by mail to Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz at jheinz@kenai.city or:

Jamie Heinz

City Clerk

210 Fidalgo Ave.

Kenai, AK 99611

Heinz said that as of Tuesday, the City of Kenai had received two applications.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

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