Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton City Clerk Amy Zawada, right, administers the Oath of Office, to newly appointed city council member Rhiannon Schmidt Wednesday. Schmidt was appointed by the council to fill the remaining term of the late Robert Backon who died in February.

HOUGHTON — The February death of City of Houghton icon Robert “Bob” Backon was felt throughout the region. Backon was a long-time educator, high school sports referee and local politician. Perhaps the most significant loss caused by Backon’s passing was upon the City of Houghton where he has been involved in city politics for more than 35 years, serving mayor at the time of his death.

The vacancy on the Council was filled Wednesday with the appointment of Rhiannon Schmidt to serve the remaining six plus months of Backon’s term. Following Mayor Backon’s death, the City advertised the vacancy locally. A total of seven residents applied for the seat. The candidates presented to the Council, in addition to Schmidt, were Chad Arney, Jennifer Deephouse, Spencer Jenkins, Don Lee, John Pastore and Tim Peters.

City Manager Eric Waara explained the appointment procedure to the council. Waara explained in order to be voted on, an applicant must be nominated and a second made by the council. “While you may only vote for one candidate when its time,” Waara said, “an individual Council member may nominate more than one applicant,” he added. Waara said in order for a candidate to be appointed, they must receive a majority, in this case four votes, of council present. He explained the vote is to be conducted in the order of nomination.

Councilor Craig Waddell, calling it the most important vote in his tenure on the Council, opened the process by nominating Schmidt. The nomination was supported by Councilor Brian Irizarry. Councilor Mike Needham nominated Arney and Deephouse, with both nominations supported by Council Philip Buck Foltz. Jenkins and Lee were also received nominations which were not supported and thus were not considered candidates.

As Schmidt was nominated first, the council voted on her candidacy first, Jan Cole, Mayor Robert Megowen, Foltz, Waddell and Irizarry voting in favor of the nomination, with Needham voting no. As Schmidt received the requisite four votes, it was determined there was no need for continued voting. Several councilors applauded the impressive roster of council applicants and urged them all to continue to show interest in serving the city.

Immediately following the vote, Schmidt was administered the oath of office by City Clerk Amy Zawada.

A registered nurse with 17 years of experience, Schmidt is currently a public health nurse with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. Born in the UK, she has lived in Norway, Ireland and Italy prior to moving to Houghton. She earned a BA in English Literature from the University of Wales, Bangor in the UK and a bachelor’s of science in nursing from Finlandia University.

In other action, the council approved the rezoning of 212 and 214 East Street. The rezoning from R1 to R3 was requested by the property’s owner Crescent Moon LLC. Nicole Olson of Crescent Moon told the Council it is the owners wish to make the property the permanent home of Alpha Delta Alpha sorority at Michigan Tech. “We’ve made a significant in vestment in this property and our plan aligns with the city’s Master Plan,” Olson said. The request was approved unanimously.

After the meeting, Olson said she was happy with the council’s decision. “For me, Houghton has been a second home. I was an Alpha Delta Alpha as were my two daughters. For me it’s a legacy.” Kim Klender of Crescent Moon said this is the latest step in a relationship with the sorority that has spanned more than 45 years. “They’ve (Alpha Delta Alpha) have been in 25 homes over the years. We wanted a permanent home. Something not only for the current members but for the alumni as well.”

Elsewhere in a rather lengthy agenda, the council heard an update on the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. The plan includes city infrastructure improvements as well as updates to city properties such as Dee Stadium and Chutes and Ladders park.”This is a capital improvement plan, not a budget,” Waara said. Adding it is used to highlight what may be added to the city’s budget which is in the development phase. Waara reminded the Council of the upcoming budget work session in May.

The council gave local government approval to a Class C liquor license request by Keweenaw Waters Resort. The license request now moved on to the state. The Council also approved a gaming license request for a 50//50 raffle from the Portage Lake Enrichment Fund, for Bridge Fest.