Olympia City Council holds ceremonial swearing in of newly elected member

In a ceremonial swearing in, Paul Berendt took his seat as the newest member of the Olympia City Council, where he outlined his commitment to public service and identified key policy areas he plans to focus on during his term.

His wife, Beth, administered his swearing in during the city’s first council meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Berendt shared a family history of public service, noting that his grandmother, Lillian Berendt, taught in a one-room schoolhouse in northeastern Washington and later served on the Pend Oreille County Board of Education. He said residents also selected her to serve on the county’s draft board.

His father, a county commissioner for 16 years, had dedicated his career to economic development and infrastructure projects. Berendt also mentioned his wife’s background as Washington’s deputy insurance commissioner, underscoring his family’s commitment to civic engagement.

“I am grateful for Olympia, a city that has wrapped its arms around me throughout my life,” Berendt told his fellow council members.

Berendt joins the council in Position 7. He said his initial priorities include community improvement with a focus on housing, homelessness, parks and overall quality of life issues.

At the same meeting, Olympia City Council members Clark Gilman (Position 4), Kelly Green (Position 5), and Robert Vanderpool (Position 6) were also ceremonially sworn in.

Gilman’s swearing in was administered by Mohamed El-Sokkary. He said he looks forward to continuing to work with both the community and fellow council members.

“Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of my first swearing in,” said Gilman, expressing gratitude and honor for the opportunity to continue serving the City of Olympia. “I am very proud of where Olympia has been and where we’re at today.”

Green looked back at her whirlwind journey to the city council. She noted that over the past year, she has taken five oaths of office, both ceremonial and official.

“It has been quite a year," Green said.

She secured the position in the November 2025 General Election after previously serving without a full term.

“I’m very grateful to be now elected and know that I get to be here for a full term,” Green said. “I’m excited to see what I can do up here and what I can do for this community.”

Green’s daughter, Josie, administered her ceremonial oath of office.

Vanderpool was ceremonially sworn in virtually, with the oath administered by his father, Rob Vanderpool.

Like Green, Vanderpool secured the seat in the November General Election after serving by appointment. He was selected by the city council in January 2024.

He thanked the community for confidence they placed in him to work on policy priorities, including housing, transportation, cost of living and climate issues, which he said are deeply important to him.

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne noted the elected council members took their official oaths of office in December 2025.