By Megan Ma

The remaining councilmembers and city staff have begun the process to replace Los Altos City Councilman Kurt Colehower, who announced Nov. 8 his resignation from the five-member council to pursue a new business opportunity.

Colehower said he is leaving for a senior position in a “global technology company” that offers “new and exciting challenges” but could not disclose details until the company schedules a press conference later in the month.

Los Altos Mayor Ron Packard said he has recommended a few options outlined in the council norms for such cases. To avoid the expense of a special election, councilmembers can select an appointment process to fill Colehower’s seat. After advertising the opening in the local newspaper, Packard suggested the council hold the first round of interviews in the next few weeks and install the new councilmember by Dec. 8, a state-mandated deadline.

In a special public meeting Saturday, the council listened to public comments. Some backed the mayor’s suggestion to move forward with the appointment process, while others supported an alternative option, a mail-in ballot that would allow residents to vote on a choice of candidates. Finally, some residents opted for the city to appoint current Planning Commissioner Randall Hull, who was runner-up in the 2005 city council election.

The council planned to make a decision at last night’s meeting. Due to the paper’s Monday press deadline, the Town Crier could not cover the decision. It will appear in next week’s paper.

Colehower said he was both elated and regretful about his decision to step down.

“Last year at this time, the citizens of Los Altos elected me to the city council and I was looking forward to serving our community for four years,” Colehower wrote in a letter of resignation to Packard. “As happens in life, even the best plans have a way of changing.” The travel requirements for his new job would prevent him from being a full-time councilmember, he said.

He said he made his decision last summer when he amicably left the company he helped build, Colehower & Company Inc., an executive search firm, for the new opportunity.

Packard accepted Colehower’s departure with a “sad heart.”

“We’re going to seriously miss him,” Packard said. He looked at things from a long-term perspective and used extremely good judgment.”