For the third time this year, the Ocean Shores City Council will have to fill a vacant seat at the table.

On Monday, Diane Solem announced she is stepping down from the City Council seat she was selected to earlier this year and will become the city’s new sales and marketing manager, charged with expanding business for the city and the Convention Center.

Solem, who was chosen by Council vote in April to fill the seat of the late Robert Crumpacker, will start her new job Oct. 1, and it will pay $55,000 a year.

Before moving to Ocean Shores, Solem had retired as vice president of Vertical Marketing Network, which she said on her application is one of the top 50 marketing companies in the country. She also spent 11 years at another national agency, Gage Marketing, where she worked on accounts for Baskin Robbins and Lipton.

Her work at Vertical Marketing included nine years as had of the account for Warner Bros. theatrical home entertainment division. As part of her council application letter submitted earlier in the year, Solem said she would “love to work hand-in-hand with the hotels and businesses on a research and outreach initiative in conjunction with the city’s tourism goals.”

Solem also has been a past chair of the KOSW radio board for the city.

“I look forward to continue working with the city and I’m exited about the new possibilities this will bring,” Solem said. “I have enjoyed working on the Council immensely.”

Solem’s departure effective Sept. 20 means the remaining Council members will select a sitting member for the third time this year, with Jeff Daniel having been selected by Council vote on Aug. 14.

Applicants must be a registered voter of the city at the time of filing and be a resident of the city for a period of at least one year.

• Applicants must write a letter or send a resume to the City Clerk Angie Folkers (email to ) or drop off at Utility Billing. Applicants also can mail a letter or resume to City Clerk, PO Box 909, Ocean Shores, WA 98569. The letter or resume is due by 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13. No exceptions.

After that date, the applicants will be announced and invited to the Sept. 24 Council meeting, where they will speak individually and be asked a series of questions by the other members.

When all available have spoken on Sept. 24, the mayor will recess into executive session, where the Council will discuss qualifications until the mayor reconvenes the meeting.

A Council member may make a motion to name one of the applicants to the Council. If a member seconds the motion, the Council will vote. The mayor may break any tie vote.