Council appoints Ryan Hunter to fill Barbara Christiansen's seat after mayor breaks tie
April 29, 2021, 7:30 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The American Fork City Council appointed Ryan Hunter to serve the rest of the late Councilmember Barbara Christiansen's term through 2021, choosing from 11 applicants. A motion to appoint former Councilmember Heidi Rodeback, who did not plan to run in the fall, failed 2-2 after Mayor Bradley Frost broke the tie, saying he wanted someone who would continue on the council; Hunter was then approved 4-0 and sworn in.
From the approved minutes.
In brief
1 item came up for a decision or discussion: 1 approved.
This write-up links 2 source documents.
5 members were present.
The previous City Council meeting was on April 27, 2021: Council rewrites park land broker deal, rezones 717 W. Main for KeyBank and In-N-Out drive-thru
The next one was on May 4, 2021: Council previews fee changes, backs early PARC tax renewal vote, weighs uses for $3.7 million in federal aid
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Appointment to fill vacant council seat: Ryan Hunter chosen | Approved · 4-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 4 · Appointment
Appointment to fill vacant council seat: Ryan Hunter chosen
Approved · 4-0
Eleven applicants presented to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Councilmember Barbara Christiansen, through Dec. 31, 2021: Alex Pratt, David Bell, John Barratt, Christine Anderson (Planning Commission vice chair), Jeffrey Shorter, former Councilmember Heidi Rodeback, Alicia Jones, Bruce Frandsen, Nathan Mecham, Matthew Marcek and Ryan Hunter (Dave Albers was absent). In the first round Hunter and Rodeback advanced. A motion to appoint Rodeback, who said she would not run in the fall, tied 2-2 (Shelton and Barnes yes; Carroll and Taylor no) and failed when Mayor Frost broke the tie against it. Hunter, a former Planning Commissioner and school board member who chaired the fire station bond effort and plans to run, was then appointed 4-0 and sworn in.
- Failed motion to appoint Heidi Rodeback: moved by Shelton, seconded by Barnes; ayes Shelton, Barnes; nays Carroll, Taylor; Mayor Frost voted nay to break the tie
- First-round picks: Taylor (Mecham, Hunter), Shelton (Rodeback, Frandsen), Barnes (Hunter, Rodeback), Carroll (Anderson, Hunter)
What residents said
Candidates each spoke for three minutes and answered council questions on time commitment and tax philosophy; residents could submit questions via YouTube.