Mayor Debbie Bertlin announced on Oct. 8 that application forms are available for citizens interested in filling vacant Position No. 4 on the Mercer Island City Council.

In filling the vacancy, the council is looking for an individual willing to commit a minimum of 18 to 20 hours per month for preparation, participation and attendance at various meetings and community activities. Beyond those duties, councilmember duties include:

– Attendance at regular city council meetings on the first and third Tuesday evening of each month, annual planning session and mini-planning session;

– Serving on council committees, regional boards, city advisory boards and commissions, and to represent the city council at various community functions;

– Some travel is expected locally, regionally and within the state.

The seven-member city council is the legislative authority of the city of Mercer Island. The city operates under a council-manager form of government and appoints a city manager to manage and administer operations. The council is responsible for setting policy, adopting the annual budget, adopting laws, setting priorities and appointing citizens to its advisory boards and commissions.

The applicant appointed to Position No. 4 will serve until the certification of the November 2019 general election, when the candidate elected to the position will take office.

To be eligible for appointment, applicants must reside within the Mercer Island city limits (for a minimum of one year prior to appointment to the council), and be registered to vote in the city of Mercer Island.

Applications are available online at www.mercergov.org, or by calling city clerk Deb Estrada at 206-275-7793, or in person at Mercer Island City Hall (9611 SE 36th St.). To be considered, applications must be completed and received by the city clerk at City Hall no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 21.