Homer City Council members plan Monday to pick a replacement for Rose Beck. They have tried to pick one at their last three meetings. Beck's last council meeting was March 28. She is moving this week to Montana.
The city council is made up of six members, and normally council action needs four votes to pass.
But with a vacant seat, council members have agreed three votes would be enough to appoint a new member.
Matson has not served on a government council before. She works as a graphic designer and owns Cosmic Soup Studios and has volunteer experience in the arts community. Matson attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash.
She wrote in her application that she has no political party-driven agenda.
"I am most concerned with issues like the Teen Center, trails and a living wage. I am also interested in the responsible growth of Homer," Matson said.
She also wrote that she would work hard so she could do an excellent job on the council.
"I would be honored to serve my community in this way," Matson said.
Schroeder said Tuesday that he served on the city's Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission about 20 years ago. He also said his experience with budgets and dealing with personnel issues, which he gained during his career with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, would serve him well on the council.
Schroeder said by throwing his name into the ring, he gives the five existing council members another choice.
"I don't have a political agenda, which some do," Schroeder said. "Maybe I'd be acceptable."
Early this year, Schroeder won the first Serving Alaskans Together award given by the state. He also won the Homer Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year award.
Homer City Council members originally expected to choose on Feb. 28 between six applicants — Doris Cabana, Mike Heimbuch, Barbara Howard, Ron Jimerson, Bill Smith, and John Velsko.
At their last meeting, city council members asked anyone still interested in serving on the council to contact the city.
During the past 10 days, only Heimbuch and Howard have stated they are still interested.
Heimbuch has served on the Homer Port and Harbor Commission and the Alaska Fish and Game Advisory Board. He also is a former legislative aide.
Howard is a retired municipal clerk from California. She currently serves on the South Peninsula Hospital Service Area Board. Although Howard has only lived in Homer for one year, she said her experience with governments will allow her to step in quickly and get to work on the issues at hand.
Last month, a city resident asked whether Smith lives inside the city limits — a requirement for council members. City staff determined that he is a city resident.
On Tuesday, Smith said his decision to withdraw his name had nothing to do with that inquiry.
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