By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A new city councilwoman was sworn in Monday to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former councilwoman Melissa Mermis.

Susan Gray, who retired to Marion in April 2016, has been working part time at FamLee Bakery after a 40-year career in nursing.

She graduated St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lincoln Nebraska 1970, and later completed her bachelor of science in nursing in 2006 and a master of business administration in 2013.

“Just so you know, this has been a longer process than I thought,” mayor Todd Heitschmidt said.

Heitschmidt said several people were interested in the position.

The next order of business was to elect Chris Costello vice-mayor, a role formerly filled by Mermis.

Council members approved rezoning St. Luke Hospital as central business district instead of low-density residential. Zoning administrator Clayton Garnica told council members the number of patients seen at the hospital and its services are growing, so the hospital is looking for ways to improve by updating facilities, adding new buildings, and expanding services.

An upgrade of the hospital’s Living Center, already underway, would require going through the zoning process to expand the building if it were still zoned residential.

Garnica said the zoning change includes only the physical block of the hospital, not residential property the hospital owns north and south of that block.

Council members approved a request to allow a beer garden at Central Park during Chingawassa Days June 1 and 2.

Council members approved an equipment loaner agreement so the county can borrow a speed traffic control trailer during roadwork related to construction of Diamond Vista Wind Farm.