MATTAWA - Because of the death of long-time Mayor Judy Esser, the Mattawa City Council had to go about the solemn task of appointing a successor at a special meeting on April 14.

Councilmember Brian Berghout nominated then mayor pro tem Scott Hyndman for Mayor. There were no other nominations. He was appointed to fill the remainder of Mayor Esser's term through 2015.

Councilmember Ellen Hopkins then nominated Berghout for mayor pro team, and he was appointed.

All of these actions left council position No. 1 open. The city is accepting letters of interest for the position.

The council then canceled the regular council meeting of April 17 in honor of Esser on the day of her funeral.

In regular business, the council accepted as complete the public works city shop. The council approved a call for bids for two public works pickups with a maximum of $30,000 for both.

The police department has assigned as surplus 40 items to propertyroom.com and sold 44 firearms for approximately $4,300.