Photo by Alex Meyer Wheeling City Council’s newest member, Melinda Koslik, second from right, stands with other members of council after the body appointed her to fill the vacant 3rd Ward seat.

WHEELING — City council has a new member after the body appointed East Wheeling resident Melinda Koslik Friday to the vacant 3rd Ward seat.

At a special council meeting, members unanimously approved Koslik’s appointment, left vacant after former councilman Brian Wilson resigned in December. The decision marks the first time multiple women have served on council.

“It was a healthy group of folks who were very interested in serving Ward 3 and the city of Wheeling,” Councilwoman Wendy Scatterday said before nominating Koslik to the position. “I think that speaks well to Ms. Koslik for rising to the top of the applicants as a standout. It’s a compliment to her.”

City officials confirmed following the meeting Friday that Koslik is in a relationship with Jesse Mestrovic, Wheeling’s director of parks and recreation. The city’s legal department is aware of the matter and Koslik agreed to abstain from certain votes if necessary and not take part in certain decisions involving city staff, Vice Mayor and Councilman Chad Thalman said.

“I keep my personal life very private and I don’t foresee any conflicts with any council members since I report directly to the city manager,” Mestrovic said.

Mayor Glenn Elliott said council members discussed the matter during Koslik’s interview and in executive session. Elliott said Koslik is aware of potential conflict of interest issues and will ensure that her personal relationship with Mestrovic doesn’t interfere with council duties.

“She also made clear that her interest in serving the Wheeling community predates her relationship with Mr. Mestrovic and has been steadily growing,” Elliott said. “I have full confidence in her based on our discussions that she will conduct herself appropriately and take all steps to avoid both actual and perceived conflicts.”

Koslik, a homeowner in East Wheeling, has worked in Center Wheeling as a graphic designer at Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe for about eight years and said she’s been heavily involved with volunteer work to revitalize the city. She also serves on the city’s Arts and Cultural Commission and Wheeling Heritage’s Show of Hands board.

“I think I can really draw upon my volunteer experience and partnerships with other people in the city to make change,” Koslik said at the meeting. “I’m really just looking for the community to tell me what they want to see done. I want to be an advocate for Ward 3.”

Council considered six applicants for the position, Elliott said, as Koslik stood out from the group. The city did not immediately grant a request from The Intelligencer for the names of the other candidates.

“As someone who is invested in the neighborhood, I think she’s going to be a great addition to this team, and I look forward to working with her,” Elliott said. “I think she embodies that sense of being engaged in the community.”

Koslik said her goals in serving on council include having transparent communication with residents and making decision-making more inclusive.

“I also just want to focus on ways to make Wheeling a more desirable place to live,” she said.

Elliott added that he has felt the absence of Wilson, who left council to take a job in Louisiana, at recent meetings, but looks forward to seeing what Koslik has to offer.

“I think she’s going to fit in very well with the group and bring some fresh perspective to the council, which could be helpful at this time,” Elliott said. “We have about 17 months left in office and we still have some things we want to get done.”