Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
It took a tie-breaking vote from Mayor Joe DePinto to decide who the newest Yelm city councilor would be.
His vote during a Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 27, officially appointed Yelm resident David Johnstone to the council after a 3-3 tie.
Councilors weren’t voting specifically between Johnstone and applicant Kayla Russell, but rather voting for the appointment of just Johnstone.
Councilors Joseph Richardson, Stephanie Kangiser and Brian Hess voted in favor of appointing Johnstone, while councilors Tracey Wood, Joshua Crossman and Terry Kaminski voted against the appointment.
“There is a 3-3 tie. I am allowed to break that tie, and I will. Congratulations councilmember David Johnstone,” DePinto said.
Following DePinto’s vote, Johnstone was sworn in by DePinto and immediately took his Position No. 6 seat at the council.
For the second consecutive time following a Yelm City Council vacancy, DePinto has made the tie-breaking vote. The last time it occurred was during a council meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, when he cast the vote to appoint Stephanie Kangiser to Yelm City Council Position No. 4.
Prior to voting, Hess originally motioned to appoint Johnstone, which was seconded by Kangiser. Crossman attempted to amend the motion in order for Yelm City Council to vote between Johnstone and Russell, rather than for the appointment of Johnstone. DePinto, speaking to Yelm’s City Clerk Kathy Linnemeyer, asked if Crossman’s amendment was valid.
“There’s a motion on the table already for one vote. We need to take the vote,” Linnemeyer said.
Crossman, defending his request to amend the motion, said “it would still be a vote” of the council, but Hess noted the original motion was already made and seconded.
“In the past, we’ve never done two people at the same time,” Hess said. “In addition, it’s neither a yes or no vote at that point with the amendment, which is all we’re saying is yes or no. That’s the issue I have with that amendment.”
Yelm’s City Attorney Brent Dille was present at the council meeting and noted, from a legal standpoint, Hess was correct.
“Once it’s been made and seconded, we don’t amend it. We now discuss and take that vote. If it doesn’t pass, then you could make your motion,” Dille said. “Otherwise, you’re not voting for any one person. The motion was to vote for one person, and then it was seconded. I think we have to adhere to that motion.”
The Yelm City Council’s Position No. 6 seat will once again be up for grabs this November during the Thurston County general election. Johnstone has announced his candidacy to remain on the council, while other candidates include Nicole Sims, Louise Oliverio and Karl Sabaria.
