BRUNSWICK — A deadlocked city council stalled the election of a new vice mayor Monday night.

Council’s committee-of-the-whole kicked off the year with an organizational meeting Monday night, and the city charter states a new vice mayor is to be elected when new council terms begin.

Ward 4 Councilman Anthony Capretta nominated Ward 3 Councilman Joseph Delsanter for the position last held by former Ward 1 Councilman Gary Werner, whose term expired at the end of December. Delsanter, Capretta and Ward 1 Councilman Chuck Ricco voted for Delsanter.

Susan Hambley, at-large councilwoman and vice mayor pro tem, nominated At-Large Councilman Pat McNamara. McNamara, Hambley and Ward 2 Councilman Vince Carl voted for McNamara. “There’s no mechanism here in the charter or the Ohio Revised Code to break this tie,” Law Director Ken Fisher said. “If no one’s about to change their vote … we have a 3-to-3 deadlock.”

Council is down to six members after former At-large Councilman Tim Smith resigned Dec. 31 to take a job as the city’s economic development director.

Council is scheduled to interview and appoint a candidate to fill Smith’s at-large seat Monday.

“Once that vacancy is filled, there will be a fourth vote for either Joe or Pat,” Fisher said. “For tonight, I guess that’s it, unless you want to call for a revote.”

Delsanter said he’s never heard of council coming to a deadlock over the vice mayor vote.

“I’m going to sit back and enjoy this because I don’t think I’ve ever seen it happen before in the history of this city,” Delsanter said.

The vice mayor is a voting member of council who presides over council meetings and leads committee-of-the-whole meetings. The vice mayor also serves as mayor pro tem in the mayor’s absence.