Mayor

to be

appointed

June 20

Will fill

remaining 2 years of term

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM - The City Council expects to fill a vacancy for the mayor's job in New Ulm on June 20, Council President Dan Beranek said this week.

The council officially announced the vacancy on June 6, inviting interested candidates to contact its members.

Candidates are expected to submit a resume and discuss why they are interested in the job.

The duties of mayor, a job vacant since the death of Mayor Bert Schapekahm last month, are currently fulfilled by Council President Beranek.

According to the City Charter, in case of a mayor's death, the City Council appoints a replacement for the full remaining length of the term.

Schapekahm's term expires in 2002, which means that New Ulm will elect its next mayor at the 2002 general election.

While the process of making an appointment is clear (the council votes in an appointee), the methods "to get there" are not outlined in detail in the charter, Beranek said.

"We are inviting input from anybody and will look at any volunteers," he said.

Beranek also said that while he has received some 15 calls suggesting potential candidates, only three people expressed a personal interest in filling the job.

Two, retired Brown County administrator Jerry Bentz and MLC professor Arnold Koelpin, submitted letters of interest; another, unidentified individual made a verbal inquiry, Beranek said.

Two candidates have since withdrawn, and the only remaining known candidate at this point is Koelpin, Beranek said.

The City Council this week also:

* Extended a moratorium on erecting new billboards in the city, for six months or until new signage regulations are adopted.

The moratorium has been in place for a year, and expires June 26.

It was imposed pending a comprehensive review of city signage rules, which is nearing completion.

* Authorized the sale of $1.6 million in general obligation bonds, to fund its 2000 street construction program.

* Awarded a bid for asphalt seal coat oil for the city 2000 street construction program.

Following a 35 percent increase in the anticipated price, the program may be curtailed, unless funds are directed from other sources to supplement budgeted amounts, said City Manager Richard Salvati.

* Scheduled a public hearing to close out a grant to Palm Beach Marinecraft, following completion of the grant activities.