SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint City Council is ready for a year of fresh challenges and public projects as new members take their seat at the table.

Newly-elected council members Shannon Williamson, Shelby Rognstad and Bob Camp officially began their terms Wednesday, replacing Justin Schuck and Jamie Brunner. The newly-reformed City Council concluded its night by electing Carrie Logan as council president — a role she’s carried on the past two years in office. Finally, Schuck honored City Clerk Maree Peck with a gift and some high compliments for her ability and restraint.  

“I think she does an exceptional job of biting her lip,” he said. “I can’t imagine sitting through all these meetings and hearing all these things — and the only way you can tell when she’s upset is she pushes her pen a little harder.”

In a slightly unusual move, Councilwoman Jamie Brunner, who was not present for the meeting, resigned her seat before giving it up to the incoming council members — a request council members approved. Her reason for the action, expressed through a memo, was her recent move

outside of city limits, which disqualifies her from sitting on the council.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express how much of an honor it has been to serve on this legislative body together,” Brunner wrote in her memo to the council. “We have accomplished a lot together.”

According to her tradition, Logan gave a short speech expressing gratitude to outgoing council members. She praised Brunner for maintaining her council commitments despite major life events like marriage, big career decisions and the birth of her first child.

“During that time she’s been a most able council member — prepared, thoughtful and, although not overly chatty, always having very thoughtful comments and approaches to problem-solving,” Logan said.

To Schuck, Logan lauded his achievements on the council, all the while developing his construction business, maintaining his commitment to his marriage and starting a family with his firstborn.  

“I’ve always appreciated Justin’s approach to discussions,” Logan said. “He always thinks outside the box, is not afraid to ask uncomfortable questions, is open to new ways of doing things and can always be counted on to make reasonable decisions.”  

As for the incoming council members, they demonstrated a variety of skills and professional backgrounds that swayed voters their way.

During the Nov. 5 election, Williamson received the most support, taking 486 votes altogether. As the executive director of Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, Williamson has worked extensively with the City Council on issues related to lake and environmental conservation, including water milfoil treatment plans and coal train resolutions. She decided to run for City Council after deciding she wanted to participate in more public discussions than those related to her job.

Rognstad narrowly trailed Williamson in the election, taking 459 votes overall. As an experienced council member appointed to his seat, he has participated in all the major council decisions over the past two years, including the purchase of the second Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail parcel, declining the U.S. 2 Curve and finalizing the Downtown Streets Guide — just to name a few.

Bob Camp rounded out the victorious candidates with 439 votes total. As a longtime city resident, Camp cut his teeth in public service in his work with the Sandpoint Historic Commission and a variety of volunteer efforts.