Batavia council fills 2 vacancies

The Batavia City Council filled its two vacancies Monday night.

The council appointed Janet Jungels to represent the 3rd Ward and Lucy Thelin-Atac to represent the 5th Ward.

"I'm very honored to be invited," Thelin-Atac said after the vote.

Jungels said the first thing she'll do for the 3rd Ward is make sure repairs at Braeburn Marsh "get pushed through."

Invasive cattails, a silt buildup, landscape waste dumping and trash have clogged the large marsh on the city's northwest side, causing stormwater to repeatedly back up into nearby houses the last few years. The city is taking steps to clear the marsh, and repairs may cost as much as $500,000.

Thelin-Atac's first priority is a little more broad.

"Helping the downtown area and helping Batavia will help the 5th Ward," she said.

The vacancies arose following the death of 3rd Ward Alderman Linnea Miller in January and the resignation of 5th Ward Alderman Forrest Nelson in February.

Three people applied for the 3rd Ward position, including Miller's husband, William. Six people applied for the 5th Ward.

"This is one of those hard decisions where you just wish you could select a whole lot because you've got a great bunch of talented people," Mayor Jeff Schielke said.

Aldermen interviewed candidates during an open meeting March 4, then ranked their preferences during a closed-door session Monday. Alderman Robert Liva, 6th Ward, was absent Monday, but gave his ballot to Schielke Friday.

Schielke could have nominated someone without the interviews or consulting the city council, but prefers the more open process.

He said it makes for a better relationship between the new alderman and the rest of the council, because the new person isn't perceived as the mayor's favorite.

Jungels and Thelin-Atac will be sworn in April 5.

Miller's term would have expired in April 2013, so there will be an election for a two-year term in April 2011. Nelson's term expired in April 2011. He resigned because he moved out of the ward.