Seven applicants are scheduled to be interviewed by four elected leaders with the goal of filling the seat once held by Vice Mayor Elden ‘Red’ Nutt, who passed away suddenly on Nov. 21.

The Ripon City Council set aside Monday, Jan. 5, to meet one-on-one with Gary Barton, Gary Krebbs, Manuel Lopez, John Mangelos, Don Moyer, John Reynolds and Mark Winchell during a 5 p.m. special session at the Council Chamber, 257 N. Wilma Ave.

“They’re all qualified, in my opinion,” Councilman Dean Uecker said.

At the Tuesday meeting, City Attorney Tom Terpstra indicated that the interviewing process along with the selection for Nutt’s old post expiring in 2016 must be conducted in open session.

“We know that with four (council members) that a tie could happen,” he said.

In which case, Terpstra suggested a one-through-seven ranking system as submitted by Mayor Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor Jake Parks, Councilman Dean Uecker and Councilman Mike Restuccia following the 30 minute per the agreed-upon candidate interviewing process.

“The city clerk (Lisa Roos) can do the tally so it’s anonymous and get the top three vote getters,” he added.

Council members are scheduled to meet the following day – Tuesday, Jan. 6 – and during that time can announce the person to fill the vacant seat. The person appointed will serve through November 2016.

The plan would be for the person selected to be administered the oath of office at the Jan. 20 meeting.

During the interview, each candidate will have 10 to 12 questions during the half-hour session.

The plan also includes for each to randomly have an assigned time to be interviewed, starting at about 5:15 p.m. “I would prefer that we have a little time to see the questions before the interviews,” said Zuber.

Council members discussed and agreed on the plan based on the number of applicants and the format to be used specifically for the interviews.

In addition, they’re looking to appoint commissioners to the Planning, Recreation, Historical, Senior Center and Youth commissions.

“I see 19 vacancies on the list – of that, 11 have expressed their interest of serving another (four-year) term,” Zuber said.

A public notice was sent out, requesting that those interested can submit their application to any of the Ripon commissions no later than 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22.