A former city manager of Prior Lake will step behind the dais as an appointed member of the City Council beginning next week.

The council has agreed to name Michael McGuire to fill the two years that remain in the term of newly elected Mayor Ken Hedberg.

Six people applied for the job, including unsuccessful candidates for the office in the past.

McGuire was the city's top staffer from 1973 to 1987, when he started as city manager in Maplewood. He remained in that job until 2000.

He has done consulting work since, most recently serving as interim city administrator in Faribault.

McGuire was the only person to be picked as a finalist by all four council members.

In his application, he said the most important thing the city needs is "unity and a shared vision." However, the kinds of divisions the city is known for, including lakeshore vs. non-lakeshore owners, are fairly common, he wrote.

He takes office Feb. 11.