The Ocean Shores City Council on Monday returned to a full seven-member body after five of the sitting members chose Jeff Daniel from among five people who applied for the open Position No. 2 seat.

Daniel, a real estate managing broker for John L. Scott, also has been a Planning Commission member and is Chamber of Commerce president. Daniel’s application noted he has been an Ocean Shores resident since 2005, and also lists the following local highlights: Parks Board Chair (2007), Ocean Shores Little League baseball and soccer coach (2007-08) and “top-producing real estate broker in Ocean Shores since 2008.”

“I believe that Ocean Shores is a beach town, not a retirement community, and I believe that this town has a long way to go before we can realize our full potential,” Daniel said in remarks Monday night.

Daniel listed 12 priorities: Erosion control at the North Jetty/tsunami evacuation protection/dune management/deer control/Pt. Brown sidewalks and traffic improvements/hire a full-time city administrator/ cleanup of fresh waterways/a new stoplight at Hogan’s Corner/improving the Ocean Lake Way and Pt. Brown intersection/legalization of short-term vacation rentals on the city’s coastal side/public art showcases/creation of walking-bike-riding loop from downtown to Damon Point.

He called the erosion problem at the North Jetty the “single biggest problem facing the city today.” Daniel also noted the city staffing levels have been depleted since the recession of the past decade.

“Our city staff are barely able to function today with the population increases we have had, and our tourist counts are way up,” he said. “The city staffing levels have got to increase.”

Daniel was chosen after each applicant answered the same set of three questions. His nomination was put forward by Councilman Bob Peterson, and then seconded by Steve Ensley. The only member not to cast a vote for Daniel was Susan Conniry, who first offered Sprigg as a nomination but did not get a second.

Daniel fills the seat vacated after Holly Plackett moved to Hawaii last month, setting up the second Council vote for a replacement in the past year. Daniel will serve through 2019, when four other council positions will be on the November 2019 general election ballot.