Licata is selected city council president

Nick Licata was elected president of Seattle City Council on Monday, ending a deadlock between council factions and weeks of City Hall intrigue.

The drama started last month when Councilman Richard Conlin prematurely announced he had won the presidency. At the time, Conlin had locked up five votes, including his own, and sent out a news release declaring victory. But his crucial fifth vote, Jim Compton, resigned from the council earlier this month, leaving Conlin in a 4-4 tie with Jean Godden.

Neither side would concede and tensions escalated when Godden supporters considered forcing a vote while a Conlin ally, Councilman Tom Rasmussen, was vacationing in South America.

The stalemate was broken Monday when council members unanimously voted for Licata as a compromise candidate, averting a situation in which Compton's replacement would have cast the deciding vote.

"That is not a good way for a new council member to begin," outgoing Council President Jan Drago said.

Licata, 58, chairs the council's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Arts Committee. He was re-elected in November with 78 percent of the vote.

The council president, who generally holds that post for two years, can control the flow of legislation, act as the voice of the council and set a tone for council relations with Mayor Greg Nickels.

Bob Young: 206-464-2174 or byoung@seattletimes.com