Special City Council Meeting: Jan 8, 2026 - Ward 5 Vacancy Resolution

On January 8, 2026, the Lewiston City Council convened a special meeting to address the resignation of City Councillor Iman Osman from Ward 5. The agenda focused on discontinuing the residency investigation into former Councillor Osman and determining the process to fill the resulting vacancy under Section 2.06 of the City Charter. After extensive testimony and public comment, the Council voted to proceed with an appointment process rather than a special election.

Consent Calendar

• Discontinued the investigation into the residency of former City Councillor Iman Osman by a vote of 7-0.
• Made the City Attorney's memo regarding the vacancy process public following a correction of a typo from "less" to "more" in the document text.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Support for Appointing Rin Sewell: Multiple speakers, including Marcella Claire, Lisa Jones, Andrew Jones, Matthew Egwin, Kimberly Craig (via Lisa Jones), Janet Bowden, and Beth Matthews, strongly urged the Council to immediately appoint Rin Sewell, the candidate who received the second-highest vote count in the November election. They argued that Sewell had campaigned, earned voter support (230 votes), and was more qualified than starting a new search. They characterized the current situation as a "clown show" and a failure of the charter that disenfranchised Ward 5 voters.
• Support for Procedural Compliance: Beth Matthews (Ward 3) and Marcella Claire emphasized adherence to the letter of the municipal charter, stating that the Council must follow the charter as written unless amended by voters or struck down in court. They argued that interpreting the charter to allow a special election would violate their oaths. Others, including Larry Pease and Steve Robinson, raised concerns about the integrity of the previous election and noted that the charter mandates the appointment process for vacancies occurring less than one year before the next regular election.
• Concerns about Transparency and Process: Matthew Egwin and Beth Matthews pointed out the lack of public notice and the short timeline. Others expressed concern about the lack of a formal application process or public hearing before making an appointment, arguing that appointing Sewell without a public process would be undemocratic.
• Criticism of Administration: Janet Bowden and Matt Roy criticized the Mayor and Council for prioritizing political ideology over governance, citing legal scandals and a breakdown of public trust.
• Journalist Safety: Steve Robinson reported that his reporter faced threats and intimidation, prompting plans to file a report with the Lewiston Police Department.

Discussion Items

• Charter Interpretation: City Attorney Marty Eisenstein clarified that under Section 2.06D of the Charter, because the vacancy occurred less than one year prior to the next regular municipal election (November 2026), a special election is not authorized. The Charter mandates that the City Council appoint an eligible individual within 30 days, or the Mayor appoints within 10 days if the Council fails to act. Eisenstein stated that holding a special election would likely be invalid and open the city to legal liability.
• Textualism vs. Intent: Councillor Chitam and others argued that the Charter contains an error or oversights regarding staggered terms and yearly elections, effectively forcing the Council to appoint someone for a full term without a Ward 5 vote. They advocated for a special election despite the Charter's language to uphold the "spirit" of democracy. Councillor Harriman and others countered that the Council must follow the text of the law as it stands, noting that the Charter Review Commission and voters chose not to adopt specific amendments that would have altered this outcome.
• Appointment of Rin Sewell: Councillor Martell and Councillor Longchamps made multiple motions and expressed strong personal support for appointing Rin Sewell, arguing she was the rightful winner of the election. However, they initially lacked a majority for a direct vote on her name at this specific meeting due to procedural concerns and the desire for a transparent application process.
• Procedural Motion: Councillor Chitam moved to direct staff to accept applications for the Ward 5 seat immediately, with the Council reviewing candidates and acting on the January 20th agenda. This was to balance the Council's desire to reseat Sewell with the need for a public process.

Key Outcomes

• Vote 1: Approved the discontinuation of the residency investigation into Councillor Iman Osman (7-0).
• Vote 2: Adopted a motion to follow the appointment process under Section 2.06D of the City Charter (7-0). A prior motion to schedule a special election failed to gain a second.
• Vote 3: Failed a motion to direct staff to place the appointment of Rin Sewell on the January 20th agenda (2-5 against: Councillors Chitam, Martell, Longchamps; Councillor Harriman voted yes for Sewell, but the Mayor and others voted no). The vote failed mainly due to objections regarding the lack of public process and the timing of the meeting.
• Vote 4: Approved a motion to direct staff to make a public announcement accepting applications for the Ward 5 seat effective immediately, with applications due by Wednesday, January 14th, at 4:00 PM for review on the January 20th agenda (7-0).
• Next Steps: The City Council will review applications (or nominations) on January 20, 2026, and make a final appointment decision by February 7, 2026, to remain within the 30-day charter requirement.