WASILLA -- A vote of no confidence in Mayor Dianne M. Keller narrowly failed Monday in a 3-2 decision.

It takes a minimum of four “yes” votes to approve a measure in Wasilla.

The resolution, with council members Kristofer Larson and Marty Metiva in opposition, was the latest move in reaction to a damaging report accusing Keller and some city staff of working to benefit a private developer. Sponsored by councilman Steve Menard, the vote of no confidence, like the approved June 30 resolution calling for Keller’s resignation, would have been a symbolic gesture since the council does not have the power to throw the mayor out of office.

The two no votes, Larson and Metiva, came after both councilmen said the expression of no confidence technically already came when the council approved a call for Keller’s resignation.

“This is just redundant,” said Metiva, who voted in favor of asking for Keller’s resignation June 30.

Larson, the sole vote against asking Keller to resign, said Monday he found it interesting the same councilman to pull the no confidence resolution off the June 30 agenda put it back on for Monday’s meeting.

Menard, who pulled the vote of no confidence off the agenda in June, said he brought the measure back to keep the pressure on Keller to resign or apologize.

“I don’t want this issue to go under the table,” Menard said last week. “I want satisfaction.”

After Monday’s council meeting, both Menard and councilwoman Dianne Woodruff, also an ardent political foe of Keller, said they will drop the issue.

The council didn’t escape criticism from Keller Monday.

During comments at the end of the meeting, Keller said first term council members were using the Denali Law Group’s independent report as a reason to grand stand. They were doing it in an effort to secure future public office, Keller said.

Both Menard and Metiva are running for Wasilla mayor this fall.

“Let’s get off the politicking and get on with city business,” Keller said.

Keller also said she had more experience than all the council put together, and has received lots of support from constituents who tell her she’s doing a good job.

Reacting to Keller’s comments after Monday’s meeting, Menard said he wishes Keller would apologize for her involvement with developer Meritage Development LLC.

He said he recognizes Keller is almost out-of-office.

“In 68 days it’s a moot point,” he said. “Because this administration is over.”

Woodruff on Tuesday said Keller’s comments were ridiculous.

“It was a unanimous vote to hire investigators,” Woodruff said. “It took four votes to ask her to resign. It’s more than two people running for mayor.”

Keller has maintained she will not resign, and restated that position Monday.

The independent investigation looked into city dealings with Meritage and uncovered what attorneys with Denali Law Group called the appearance of collusion between Keller, some city staff and the developer.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.