The first of two new Lewiston city councilors took his seat Monday, a few months early.

Clinton Daniel, who was elected to the council just one week ago, took the oath of office at the end of the night's meeting to start his term as a result of an obscure city code.

Because Daniel's predecessor, Councilor Tim Broemeling, was appointed in 2010 to complete an unfinished term, city code requires he step down once results for the next election for his position have been certified, City Attorney Don Roberts said. Broemeling did not run for re-election, and councilors certified those election results Monday night.

Broemeling was thanked by his fellow councilors for serving in the position, and had kind words for both Daniel and Councilor-elect Ged Randall.

"You're good folks, I wish you nothing but the best," Broemeling said.

All council positions are at-large, but City Manager Jim Bennett said Daniel was sworn in because he received the most votes of the two newcomers who were to take seats on the council.

"I'm really honored to have the opportunity to serve on the council, and I look forward to do the best I can to benefit the citizens of Lewiston," Daniel said upon taking his seat.

Daniel came in second in last week's voting with 1,214 votes, behind incumbent Councilor James Kleeburg, who had 1,448 votes. Randall came in third for one of three spots on the council with 1,169 votes.

Roberts said Randall will take the position vacated by outgoing Councilor Matthew Carlson at the first meeting in January, upon the completion of Carlson's term.

Both Daniel and Randall were in attendance at Monday's meeting, and were entitled to sit in on the night's executive session regarding personnel matters. The council said no decision was expected following the closed-door session Monday night.

Also Monday, councilors said they will discuss at a meeting next month whether to reimburse property owners who previously paid stormwater fees under a struck-down city code. The Idaho Supreme Court last week ruled the fee was instead an unconstitutional tax, but the court's opinion did not address whether to reimburse property owners who had already paid the fee. The council will address the issue at its Dec. 5 work session.

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Gary may be contacted at

bgary@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2262.