Applications available for open Santa Maria Council seat

An opening on the Santa Maria City Council gives residents a chance to be appointed to the post instead of running in an election.

Applications are available at City Hall.

Those interested in the position have to be at least 18 years old, a city resident, and a registered voter.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday February 12th by 5 p.m.

The seat became open after Alice Patino won the Mayor's election in November.   She is the first female mayor in the city's 107-year history. Patino was councilmember at the time, and now her former seat needs to be filled.