Sixteen applicants have declared their interest in an appointment to a vacant seat on the Minot City Council.

The council will meet Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 4 p.m. with the applicants, at which time a decision could be made, although final action might be delayed to a future date. The term, vacated with the election of Mark Jantzer as mayor, expires in June 2026.

Stephan Podrygula, who has served 16 years on the council previously on different occasions is among the applicants. He had run unsuccessfully for re-election in 2024. He also had narrowly lost his seat in 2018 but was appointed to fill the seat held by Shaun Sipma, who was elected mayor in the 2018 city election.

Other applicants are Kyle Erickson, Beth Feldner, David Gipson, Joan Hawbaker, Mike Hayes, Kevin Keyes, Eric Locken, Dixie Mower, Nikki Paulsen, Benjamin Pyle, Roger Reich, Hadyn Schuler, Aryan “Ari” Siadat, Connie Wilson and Melissa Wright.

Podrygula listed his ability to immediately be effective on the council, given his past experience and rigorous vetting on the ballot on four prior occasions.

“The council needs an experienced individual, knowledgeable about the issues and processes, not someone who needs considerable time to come up to speed,” he wrote. He also cited other leadership experience in the community, including having chaired the Ward County Planning Commission, served as president of Minot Rotary Club and served on various boards in the community.

Erickson is a research associate at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State University. He said his work focuses on policy, budgets and community collaboration.

“My work has taught me the importance of listening, building consensus, and making decisions that improve quality of life for people across North Dakota,” he wrote. “Beyond my professional role, I am active in Minot’s community life and connected with people from all walks of life. Whether through advocacy or through my work in comedy, I strive to engage people where they are and give them a sense of belonging.”

He wrote he would bring the perspective of a young professional with a disability who understands the challenges and opportunities facing Minot residents. He listed his priorities as making responsible budget decisions, strengthening infrastructure and ensuring Minot’s growth is inclusive.

Feldner, who works in community relations, has served on multiple local committees. Most recently, she served on the city’s Economic Development Review Committee.

“These experiences have not only given me insight into the complex challenges facing our city but also have strengthened my belief that local government works best when it is responsive, transparent and focused on real results for the people it serves,” she wrote. “If appointed, I would bring a thoughtful and engaged presence to the role, remaining committed to listening carefully, asking the right questions, and helping Minot move forward in a responsible, transparent way. I’ve always believed in showing up, doing the work, and staying grounded in what’s best for the community. That includes digging in to understand the issues, prioritizing fiscal responsibility, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and with intention. It also means being accessible, fostering open dialogue, and recognizing that meaningful engagement often happens outside of formal meetings, through everyday interactions in the community.”

Gipson wrote he came to Minot in 2010 with the oil boom.

“I believe I am a good fit for this role, as I represent a highly underrepresented group of community members in Minot. I am a blue-collar Mexican man who recently started working again. I have been disabled since 2021, when I had COVID-19,” he wrote.

He stated he has been involved in the community in bringing the Human Rights Coalition to Minot more than a year ago and in following city government.

“I believe the most crucial issues the City Council is facing at this point are the 2026 budget and the inability to make decisions due to the presence of six voting members. There is no simple answer to the 2026 budget. Staff, property owners, renters, and businesses must be heard,” he wrote. “I bring a no-nonsense, common-sense approach. I can communicate effectively with anyone and understand their perspective.”

Hayes has lived in Minot since September 2011. He wrote he is a mason by trade and has worked in house construction for the past 30 years as being involved in development projects in Washington state and Minot. He retired this past spring.

“With more time on my hands and a wealth of knowledge and experience, I am eager to give back to the community. I believe that my diverse background and experience with various projects could make me a valuable asset to the community,” he wrote.

Keyes submitted a resume of his experience as an HVAC system installer, service technician and business manager. He wrote he has a plan to fund a reverse osmosis water treatment plant in Minot, similar to the plant operated in Fargo.

“If you want to make Minot more than just great, please let me sit in the city council seat that is available,” he wrote. He added that his wife is a retired politician from the Philippines, and he had assisted her with financial advice and help during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Locken is a lifelong Minot resident whose volunteer activities go back to working with Habitat for Humanity in high school.

“Over the years I’ve been involved with various projects to help out local citizens,” he said, listing raising money for Thanksgiving meals for people in need and for new books for children at a local elementary school. He conducted a donation drive for goods and monetary donations for Hurricane Harvey relief in Texas, driving the donations to the crisis area.

In 2022, he was named Minot’s Citizen of the Year.

“I’ve never shied away from taking the initiative to help anyone and everyone I could, and, I truly believe that this is what this community has instilled in me over the years. Minot has always been my favorite place and it’s always made me proud of where I come from, which is why I want to become part of this City Council. I believe that this is the next step in the right direction for me to continue what I do best and that is to help the people in our community and to be involved in our growing process for years to come,” Locken wrote.

Mower is a 15-year resident of Minot.

“I have lived in different towns and states,” she wrote. “I can give a different perspective to our town. I appreciate what Minot has to offer, but it is not being taken care of. There are so many things that Minot has to offer, but it is lacking in some.”

She stated she would like to have a Safe Haven baby box at a fire station.

“I feel that Minot is a wholesome town. I would like Minot to stay that way,” she wrote. “I am saying that I am going to look out for the town and the children.”

Paulsen is an active community volunteer, serving on the board of 2nd Story Social Club for Exceptional Persons since 1993. She also serves on the Human Rights Committee at KALIX and is financial secretary for her church.

“I am a fiscal conservative and social libertarian,” she wrote. “I strongly feel that the working class voter is underrepresented on the Minot City Council. When the city switched from the designated ward council representatives to the smaller committee of the whole system, we got lost in the shuffle. I will give a voice to the working class and be approachable to listen to people’s concerns.”

Pyle’s application states he currently works as a bartender at The Blue Rider and runs the food truck Yoda Best. Pyle, 26, is a veteran married to an Air Force officer in the missile squadron. He has lived in Minot for 2½ years.

“I am an avid member of the community and spend most of my time either attending or working at local community events. I also host the City Council Bingo at the Blue Rider Bar, which has spread awareness of local politics and gotten members of the community more involved in the events that occur at city council meetings,” he wrote. “I believe that the council could more represent the population of Minot with someone who is younger and works in the service industry.”

He added he wants to be a voice for the community and bring a younger and different perspective that encourages more people to get engaged with the city council.

Reich, an Air Force retiree, serves as director of the Minot Commission on Aging. He noted he has been a part of the community since the mid-1990s and has served on numerous boards.

“I believe I can bring a set of fresh eyes to the council and help guide the city in the right direction,” he wrote.

Schuler, 18, is a lifelong Minot resident and student at Minot State University.

“While I don’t have decades of experience, I do have something equally valuable: energy, curiosity and a vested interest in the future of Minot. My generation will live with the long-term outcomes of today’s decisions, and I want to make sure young people have a seat at the table. I see my age not as a limitation, but as a chance to bring forward new ideas, a fresh perspective, and a lot of drive to get things done,” she wrote.

Schuler has been involved in student leadership, which she wrote taught her the importance of listening, building consensus and working toward solutions that benefit everyone.

Siadat is a 2024 graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law who is working on his Master’s in public administration through UND. He wrote he has edited bills during the 2023 North Dakota legislative session for the House Political Subdivisions and House Judiciary committees. He also previously worked as property tax clerk in Indiana and as an accountant.

A nearly lifelong resident of Minot, Wilson is director of Finance and Operations for the Northern Plains Children’s Advocacy Center.

“My commitment to and care for this community run deep, both personally and professionally,” she wrote, stating her experience, dedication and deep community roots make her a strong candidate. She has volunteered with the Lord’s Cupboard Food Pantry for 11 years, is a former member of the Optimist Club and current member of the Magic City Lions. She also serves on the boards of STORM Girls Fastpitch and the Patient Advisory Board for Trinity Hospital.

She interned at the North Dakota State Fair Office in high school and returned in various roles every year since, completing 35 years this year.

“I have excellent networking skills that could benefit the city council, particularly in building positive relationships with local proprietors and business professionals,” she wrote. “I believe that networking is essential to fostering teamwork, strengthening our community, and addressing areas of need.”

Wright is a local business owner. She wrote her work has centered on revitalizing historic spaces, building partnerships and creating experiences that honor the past while serving the future.

“I’m not here to polarize. I believe it’s time to heal Minot, not divide it further. That means listening with intention, leading with integrity, and making decisions that reflect the needs of our entire community. As a business owner, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our local entrepreneurs. I will represent their interests with clarity and conviction, and I’ll work hard to ensure their voices are heard and respected in every conversation,” she wrote. “I want to serve – not for recognition, but because I believe Minot deserves thoughtful, inclusive leadership.”

Hawbaker did not list any personal information or comments in her application.