Robert Vanderpool sworn in as Olympia councilmember

At its meeting on Tuesday evening, Olympia City Council welcomed its newest member, Robert Vanderpool, who has a government policy and public administration background.

Vanderpool was selected from among 16 candidates after the Position 6 application process concluded on Monday.

He was ceremonially sworn in by his mother, Julie Willoughby, who attended the meeting virtually.

Expressing gratitude to the councilmembers for the opportunity, Vanderpool outlined his commitment for the next two years. "The best I can do for the next two years is study, collaborate, and pass good policy. It will be for the public to judge my actions."

Mayor Pro Tem Yen Huynh said she looked forward to learning from Vanderpool’s new perspective, and recalled being impressed by his answers during the application process.

Huynh said Vanderpool could discuss even typically "dry" policy documents in a way that energized her. "It was reinvigorating hearing it from you," she told him. "It was exciting in a way I've never heard before."

Councilmember Clark Gilman expressed his eagerness to extend assistance to Vanderpool as he navigates his initial cycle of meetings. However, Gilman advised the newly appointed councilmember to "trust and verify everything we share with you."

Vanderpool and Gilman shared a similar path into the city council. Eight years ago, Gilman, who served as Olympia's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) chair, was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the council. This opening was created after Cheryl Selby, who had previously served on the council, became mayor.

Vanderpool’s journey to the city council resembles Gilman’s; he was appointed to the BPAC in 2023 and was elected in 2024 as the advisory board’s chair. 

Councilmember Lisa Parshley praised Vanderpool's "thoughtful contributions" and referenced his “insightful” budget approach, which she observed during the interview process.

Mayor Dontae Payne commented that he was impressed by Vanderpool's thorough preparation and anticipation of interview questions, which Payne believes is an indication of how Vanderpool will perform in his council duties.

Vanderpool's mother, Julie Willoughby, said her son has long committed to community service. "I have no doubt that the council and the City of Olympia will soon see his strong work ethic and his commitment to work for positive change,” she attested.

Neck-and-neck race

The vote between Robert Vanderpool and Kelsey Hulse during the final application process for Position 6 received three first-place rankings in the …

Olympia received 16 applications from candidates interested in the role. The councilmembers reviewed and individually ranked all applicants. They then narrowed the field to the top six candidates to interview for the position: Courtney Cecale, Kelsey Hulse, Shairus Palotil, Amna Qazi, Carole Richmond, and Robert Vanderpool.

On Monday, only four applicants showed up for the interview. Cecale and Palotil withdrew their applications.

The final selection process took over three hours, including interviews of the four finalists and deliberations between councilmembers.

The mayor called for an executive session to allow the council to discuss the applicants privately. When the council reconvened, each councilmember handed their votes to Jack Mongin, an election technician from the Thurston County Auditor's Office.

Kelsey Hulse and Robert Vanderpool became the top two contenders in the city council vacant seat on the final application process held Monday, …

Mongin facilitated the vote count, using the ranked-choice method to determine the winner.

The margin between Vanderpool and Hulse was close: both received three first-place rankings in the ranked-choice vote; Vanderpool got three second-place rankings, and Hulse had two second-place rankings.

Payne called a second executive session to “discuss the qualifications of the applicants" again.

When councilmembers returned, they unanimously approved the appointment of Vanderpool to Position 6.

Background in public service

According to the application packet provided by the city, Robert Morgan Vanderpool has a strong background in government policy, campaign management, and public administration. He holds a Master's in Public Administration and a Bachelor's in Political History, both from Evergreen State College.

At the Department of Labor & Industries, he worked in support operations for injured workers and contractors. As a campaign manager for local offices, he learned about policy development, staff management, event coordination, and communications.

Vanderpool was recently elected as the 2024 chair for Olympia's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, where he contributes to capital facilities planning, comprehensive planning, master planning, individual projects, and funding objectives. He has also been tapped to serve on the Intercity Transit Community Advisory Committee. Vanderpool was also chosen to participate in the Thurston County Planning Commission for 2024.

Newly appointed Olympia Councilmember Robert Vanderpool was ceremonially sworn in by his mother, Julie Willoughby, at the city council meeting on …