POINT PLEASANT — The City of Point Pleasant has a new council member.

During a special meeting Monday, council members approved 7-2 the appointment of James F. “Jamie” Bowles to fill the vacated council at large position. Councilwomen Barbara Ann Brown and Linda Smith cast the opposing votes.

Bowles, a Democrat and 44-year resident of the city, said he was appreciative of the chance to take on the position. And although he’s never served the city in this capacity — he said he ran for city council years ago but lost his bid to Leonard “Buster” Riffle, who currently serves as mayor — he is eager about his new role.

“I’m looking forward to serving, and I want to act in a way to benefit the City of Point Pleasant,” Bowles added.

He said he already has some ideas regarding issues he plans to address, including the condition of some of the city’s streets.

Brown also presented a list of names of residents who were interested in filling the vacated seat, but none of those people were formally nominated during Monday’s meeting.

Bowles will fill the vacated seat previously held by Joe Supple, who resigned earlier this month after moving out of the municipal limits. According to the city’s charter, council members must reside within the city. The charter also mandates that a new council member be appointed within 30 days of Supple’s resignation.

Bowles will serve the unexpired five-year term until 2012. His first regular meeting will be Monday, April 13.

In other business, council members:

• Unanimously approved the mayor to request a 30-day extension regarding the recent protest against the sewer rate increase. Riffle said the extension would give the city time to gather the necessary information for the next phase with the Public Service Commission.

• Unanimously proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month.

• Were asked to consider allocating funding for the purchase of a police cruiser.