New manager, ARB member

In one of those feel-good rituals city councilmembers love so much, they got to lavish praise on Dave Burkland (pictured) Tuesday, when they appointed the assistant city manager to the position of interim city manager, replacing the departing Greg Jones.

“He has the best in his heart for the community,” effused Vice Mayor Ann Schwab, “and will serve the city well.”

The council also appointed David Kim to the Architectural Review Board, replacing Ellen Ertle, who resigned. Kim is a veteran architect who works for New Urban Builders. This was the second time he’d sought the position.

In early January, when the newly seated council selected 20 people to fill various seats on city boards and commissions, Kim was one of only two of the 43 candidates who were members of a minority group. And yet, despite his obvious qualifications for the position, the liberal council turned him down. Intentionally or not, they corrected that error this week.