City Council
Evan Hutson, Mayor
Richard Thomas, Vice Mayor
Gary Hansen, Council Member
Lorri Pride, Council Member
Vacant, Council Member
City Manager
Marti Brown
City Clerk
Karleen Price
Willows City Council
Special Meeting
Action Minutes
August 18, 2026
Willows City Hall
10:00 AM
201 North Lassen Street
Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-7041
1. CALL TO ORDER – 10:00 AM
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Hutson, Vice Mayor Thomas, Councilmember Hansen, Councilmember Pride
Councilmembers Absent: None
4. DISCUSSION & ACTION CALENDAR
a. City Council Vacancy – Appointment Process
Action: Council discussed the applicant interview procedure and appointment process and confirmed the use of a candidate forum-style interview process. b. City Council Vacancy – Applicant Interviews
Action: Conducted candidate forum-style interviews with the following five qualified Council applicants:
Mr. John Lowe
Mr. Pete Mann II
Ms. Karen Johnson
Mr. Jesse Orendorff
Ms. Mary Thomas
The Council recessed at 11:50 a.m. and reconvened at 12:05 p.m. c. City Council Vacancy - Resolution
Action: The City Council deliberated regarding the appointment to the vacant City Council seat and directed that the candidate ranking scorecards be tallied.
The Council recessed at 12:15 while the City Clerk tallied the ranking scorecards, and reconvened at 12:24 p.m.
2 Following the tally of the ranking scorecards, the City Council continued its deliberation regarding the appointment.
Motion to adopt Resolution 37-2026 appointing John Lowe to fill the vacancy on the Willows City Council.
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Hutson/Councilmember Pride
Roll Call Vote
Yes: Mayor Hutson, Vice Mayor Thomas, and Councilmember Pride No: Councilmember Hansen
Absent: None
Passed: 3-1
5. ADJOURNMENT – 12:34 PM
______________________________
Karleen Price, City Clerk