The New Year will bring a fresh face to Westlake City Council.

Ward 2 Councilman Jim Connole will step down after the first meeting of the year and council members will appoint a replacement.

Eleven applicants are in the running to represent Ward 2, located in the southeastern part of the city. Council President Michael Kileen said he does not expect that the new council member will be appointed Tuesday.

Council members will interview everyone who applied, except for one candidate who did not meet the 18-month residency requirement, said Denise Rosenbaum, council clerk. Council members will speak with candidates Jan. 4 and then decide if they need further interviews.

Applicants for the part-time position are Cecelia Baker, Nate Cross, Scott Fatzinger, Raymond Froelich, Kristine George, Russell Milan, Jerry Musbach, Nick Nunnari, Steven Presley, Carolyn Steigman and Brian Thompson. The annual salary for council members is $13,240.

"One of the things we've always looked for is someone who's really interested in the city and that holds the interest of the city primary instead of any personal agenda," Kileen said. "I think we're looking for someone who will really enjoy their work and want to give back to the city they live in."

Connole was an active member of the Zoning, Planning, Building Codes and Legislative Committee and council's representative to the planning commission during his time on council. Kileen said the new Ward 2 representative will not take on those kinds of committee responsibilities right away.

"The new councilman will have to get oriented to council," he said. "It takes some time to understand exactly the procedures and responsibilities so those responsibilities would go to one of the other council members."

Kileen said the new council member will not chair a committee for at least six months. All members chair one committee.

Connole is stepping down from his position to focus his attention on his expanding business, U.S. Communications and Electric. His replacement will serve the remaining three years of his term and is free to run for re-election in 2013.