With four new faces at the dais, the Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen looks quite different from how it did in March. At the board’s April 28 meeting, election results from the April 7 election were read, thus bringing an end to the terms of Ward 1 Alderman Ann McMunn — who, prior to the election, had announced her move from the city, thus making her ineligible to run for her seat — Ward 2 Alderman Casey Wong, Ward 3 Alderman Kurt Krueger and Ward 4 Alderman Mark Colombo.
Each outgoing board member was given a plaque commemorating their time serving and a chance to share a few final words.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve this community,” Wong said. “It’s awesome to see how many contested elections we had. Sunset Hills remains a passionate city. We are small enough that resident voice has a big impact. I just love to see that much interest in our community … I have nothing but wonderful memories and long conversations with pretty much everyone here. I really, truly appreciate that and the support over the years. This has just been a wonderful experience. I’m really proud to see where the city is.”
The now-former aldermen then vacated their seats, some taking their name tags on the way out. This led to the swearing in of the new members portion of the meeting, in which Natalie Akins of Ward 1, Mark Schwarz of Ward 2, Angie Weigel of Ward 3 and Cathy Friedmann of Ward 4 took their oaths of office. Mayor Patricia Fribis also took an oath of office as she, too, ran in the April 7 election, though her race was unopposed and she recieved 100% of the votes.
Later in the evening, it was time to elect a new board president; this is typical with boards during restructuring meetings following elections. City Administrator Brittany Gillett explained to those unfamiliar that the president of the board would take the place of the mayor in the event that she is unable to make the meeting.
“In my six years here, I’ve never seen it happen,” Gillett said. This prompted Fribis to share that she has never missed a meeting during her time — now 10 years — as the city’s mayor.
Gillett then explained that the process of deciding the president is done by nomination, requiring a second, then a voice vote of the board. Friedmann nominated Ward 4 Alderman Fred Daues.
“He is the senior member on the board at this time. He is collaborative. He’s everybody’s friend. He gives everyone a fair hearing. I think he would be perfect as the president of our board,” she said.
Schwarz seconded the nomination, which, upon voice vote, passed unanimously, officially making Daues board president.
“Thank you for your confidence, board,” Daues said following the board’s vote.
