Cedar Park City Councilman Scott Mitchell announced his resignation Nov. 29 from Place 3, citing work engagements that will take him to Canada for up to six months.

"I've been on council for 9 1/2 years, and I'm proud of the fact that I have only missed one regularly scheduled meeting," Mitchell said at the end of the meeting following executive session. "I can't tell you how much I've appreciated this, and how much I've learned from you all and enjoyed doing this."

Mitchell said he felt as if he was called to become a City Council member, but this decision was best for his career.

"I want to say thank you for what you've given me through this job, and allowing me to sit up here and help make my city great," he said. "I've had a hand in making my city a place I want to live and a place I know other people want to live."

Mitchell plans to remain in office through the council retreat scheduled for early December. He will remain a resident of Cedar Park, and council members asked that Mitchell consider returning to the governing body when his schedule allows.

"You've brought forth a lot of good things to council, and a passion for the city and what you do is evident," Councilman Lowell Moore said. "There will be no replacement for Scott here. There will be someone in that seat who may do as well as Scott, but there will be no replacement."

The announcement comes on the heels of Tony Dale's resignation from his Place 5 council seat Nov. 13 to accept his elected position as the representative for Texas House District 136. The process to appoint a new Place 3 council member will operate similarly in accordance with state law. Following an application period, council will interview and select a temporary replacement to fill the vacancy through May 2013, when the position will be placed on the ballot.

Six candidates submitted their applications for Dale's seat and will be interviewed beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 1.