Starting Tuesday, Sonoma County officials pushing creation of a public power agency face what could be the biggest hurdle yet as they appeal to cities to join the program.

The Cotati City Council unanimously voted to appoint John Moore as the new city councilman Wednesday. The council seat became vacant in January following former city Councilwoman Pat Gilardi’s resignation to take a job as district director for Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin.

Cotati is considering easing its cap on fast food-type businesses. The potential change is sparked by a high vacancy rate in the city’s commercial spaces, said Assistant City Manager Micah Hinkle, who oversees City Hall economic development efforts.

Nine Cotati residents have submitted applications for the Cotati City Council vacancy caused by the resignation of Councilwoman Pat Gilardi.

The Cotati City Council voted 4-0 Wednesday to seek applicants to fill a vacancy on the dais created by the resignation of Pat Gilardi, who is taking a job with new 1st District County Supervisor Susan Gorin.

Cotati City Councilwoman Pat Gilardi has agreed to step down from her elected post and take a job as district director for Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin.

Cotati City Councilman Mark Landman, who became involved in the city’s politics when he helped lead a bitter and successful 2009 campaign to recall Councilman George Barich, was selected to be its mayor Wednesday.

Cotati officials who in 2011 happily settled on a controversial $3.5 million redesign of the downtown have altered their course following a ballot initiative that banned roundabouts from the city.

Alden Olmsted, who last week declared himself a write-in candidate for Cotati City Council, is not quite that yet. Of the 27 signatures Olmsted turned in to become an official candidate, 12 were disqualified by the county Registrar of Voters, Cotati City Clerk Tami Taylor said Tuesday.

Cotati officials announced Wednesday the hiring of a new assistant city manager, filling a spot vacant since early 2007. Micah Hinkle will be paid $100,000 and focus on economic development, said City Manager Dianne Thompson, who was the last Cotati assistant city manager before she became its top manager.