Mortenson on the Bottom Right, Kunde on the Bottom Left (City of Fergus Falls)
Fergus Falls, MN – The Fergus Falls City Council has failed to choose a new council member representing Ward 3 in a vote of 4-3 for Michael Mortenson, failing to meet the 5 necessary positive votes.
Mortenson and his fellow applicant Nate Kunde were asked several questions at a special interview process that occurred on Monday afternoon before the normal City Council meeting.
Both candidates spoke well and answered the questions with ease.
At the end of the interview process, the Council voted on who they would put to vote at the meeting later that evening, and in a vote of 4-3, Mortenson was chosen.
At the Council meeting, Council Members Kvamme, Job, Hicks, and Kremeier voted yes, while Council Members Rufer, Fish, and Rachels voted no.
As per the City Council Charter, the resolution to fill a vacant Council seat requires 5 votes for a potential candidate to fill the position.
After the vote failed, Council Member Hicks motioned to refer the issue to the Charter Commission in order to decide how to move forward with the vacant position, which was passed by the Council.
Council Member Kvamme also made a motion to reopen the application process, though that motion failed to go to vote.
In the meantime, the 3rd Ward of Fergus Falls and the City Council remain one representative short.