Munch appointed to vacant council seat

It took two rounds of voting before the Spokane Valley City Council picked Michael Munch to fill its third vacancy this year.

Munch, Michelle Rasmussen and David Starr were all nominated and seconded, so the council turned to a written vote.

But no one received the four votes needed to be appointed, so the council had to take a second written vote before it could declare Munch the winner.

Munch was sworn in immediately after his selection.

Munch is the president of Able Construction and a former treasurer of the Stevens County Republican Party.

He wrote in his application, and repeated during his interview with the council, that his first priority is to protect private property rights followed by getting the government out of the way of business.

Munch listed state Rep. Matt Shea, Spokane County Treasurer Rob Chase, and former council member Brenda Grassel as his references.

No meeting Tuesday

The City Council meeting on Tuesday is canceled because it coincides with National Night Out Against Crime and City Council members are participating in various community events.

The council will meet as usual at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 in the Spokane Valley Council Chambers, 11707 E. Sprague Ave.