BEND, OR -- More than 30 people applied to fill two vacant positions on Bend City Council, following the resignation of Mayor Sally Russell and Councilor Rita Schenkelberg. Newly appointed Mayor Gena Goodman-Campbell says the process of selecting two qualified applicants is now underway, based on Council rules. "We have appointed a subcommittee of Councilors, so that’s Councilor Melanie Kebler, Councilor Megan Perkins and Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Broadman. The three of them will be meeting June third, from 2-4 pm, and reviewing applications and recommending a list to the full Council for us to interview." Recommendations are expected at a June seventh meeting, with interviews on June ninth.

Goodman-Campbell expects they’ll ask applicants if they plan to run for election in November, "Not because we have a preference, but because it’s just an important piece of information for us to understand whether the person is intending to just serve out the remainder of the six-month term for each seat or whether they intend to run for a full term on Council - or, in the case of Councilor Schenkelberg’s seat, to serve the remainder of the two years of their term."

Deliberations will then take place during a June 13th meeting, if needed. She says the goal is to have the two new members seated by June 15.

Goodman-Campbell tells KBND News it’s a fast but necessary timeline, "We are midway through a really ambitious work plan and set of goals for this Council for this two year period that we’re in the middle of. So, I have full confidence in city staff and the remaining Councilors to bring people on board and up to speed quickly."