Following comments and discussion, members of the Oakdale City Council voted Monday, Oct. 6 to move forward with an appointment process to fill the vacancy left by council member Christopher Smith, who resigned effective Sept. 18.

The decision came after public comment on agenda item 11.1, during which several residents shared opinions on how the council should proceed. The council ultimately voted 3-1 in favor of holding an appointment process, with Mayor Cherilyn Bairos and council members Kayleigh Gilbert and Jeff Kettering choosing that direction.

Council member Jarod Pitassi cast the lone dissenting vote, favoring instead the appointment of Justin Beidinger, who narrowly lost in the Nov. 5, 2024, election in which Pitassi and Kettering won the two available council seats.

The city later announced details of the appointment process on its official social media channels.

According to the announcement, applications are now being accepted from qualified registered voters within Oakdale city limits. The appointed member will serve until Nov. 3, 2026, following the certification of the General Municipal Election results.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside within Oakdale city limits, be a registered voter in the city at the time of application, and have no felony convictions or financial impropriety-related misdemeanors.

Applications are available through the City Clerk’s Office at Oakdale City Hall, 280 N. Third Ave., or online at www.oakdalegov.com.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. A $25 application fee is required.

The council will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, to interview candidates. Each applicant will be allowed a three-minute presentation and may answer questions from the council before a decision is made.

For more information, residents can contact the City Clerk’s Office at 209-845-3573 or visit the city’s website.