The Fabian family of five came to the Moorhead City Council meeting Monday so the kids could get a feel for city government.

“I didn't know what was going to happen. My kids, especially my youngest Paul, were the ones to encourage me to run – so I wanted them to come to the meeting and see the process at work from the get go. If anything, I thought I'd find out if I had to start preparing a three-minute speech,” Melissa Fabian, Moorhead’s newest council member said after the meeting.

She will fill Jim Haney’s seat after final action at the regular city council meeting Dec. 12. Haney resigned his council post Nov. 14. That resignation takes effect Dec. 31 and he begins on the Clay County Commission Jan. 1.

The council vote was four to three with Haney abstaining. Mayor Del Rae Williams does not vote. Shinwar Mayi, an account executive with Allegiance Software, received three votes. Fifteen candidates applied although Jacob Broten withdrew his application before the meeting.

The number of candidates was unexpected. City Attorney John Shockley offered selection alternatives aligned with the city charter.

Council members Mike Hulett and Nancy Otto encouraged the council to select the candidate Monday. Upcoming council meetings will have the city budget and selection of a city manager on the agenda. Council members decided to go ahead with the council selection process Monday.

Williams encouraged the council to narrow the number of candidates Monday and make a final selection Dec. 12. She cited the number of candidates and their qualifications.

Of the seven council members voting to fill the Second Ward seat – Haney withdrew his vote – Fabian received votes from Brenda Elmer, Steve Gehrtz, Hulett and Otto, and Shinwar Mayi, an account executive with Allegiance Software, received votes from Mari Dailey, Heidi Durand and Chuck Hendrickson.

Fabian will join new council members Sara Watson Curry and Joel Paulsen, elected Nov. 8. They will take their seats Jan. 1. Otto and Hulett are retiring Dec. 31.

Fabian said she was both floored and excited the council took action Monday. “I’m looking forward to serving the city of Moorhead,” she said. Moorhead has been her home for more than 30 years. She is the daughter of Jack and Rochelle Sand, Moorhead. Jack is a retired WDAY weatherman, a magician and tour guide. Fabian worked at WDAY at the front desk many years ago.

She earned a bachelor of science in mass communications, public relations and political science from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Fabian worked in customer service, human resources, bookkeeping, shipment management and store maintenance.

Now a stay-at-home mom and volunteer, she and her husband, Matthew, have three children, Lily, Samuel and Paul.

Two of her recent volunteer positions were serving as co-chair of the Moorhead School Naming Task Force and co-chair of the Moorhead Youth Hockey Association Fall Social Committee that is the largest fundraiser for the non-profit organization.

A formal resolution to finalize Fabian’s election to the council will be voted on Dec. 12. She will serve a two-year term.

In other action, Mayor Williams encouraged Moorhead citizens to contact Gov. Mark Dayton to encourage holding a special session Dec. 19. She gives further information in her column in this edition of The Extra.