The Aurora City Council on Monday voted to approve the appointment of Amsalu Kassaw to fill the council seat vacated following the resignation of At-large Council Member Dustin Zvonek.

Kassaw, who works at the Geo Group, Inc., describes himself as a community organizer, human rights advocator and public servant from Aurora. According to his application for the position, he applied to help Aurora residents and gain a better understanding of the issues to solve resident concerns wisely.

A recipient of the 2024 Aurora Community Spirit Award for the Community Volunteer category, Kassaw also has earned the 2023 Leadership Service Unifying Achievement Award on International Diplomacy and the Ethiopian American Community Service Award.

Kassaw will complete the remainder of the term, which ends the first council meeting in December 2025. He will be sworn in Jan. 13 during the regular council meeting.

During the November 2025 Regular Municipal Election, registered electors will vote into office a new at-large council member to complete the next full term.

Also on Monday at their regular council meeting, the City Council voted to appoint Ward II City Council Member Steve Sundberg as mayor pro tem for 2025.