Issaquah City Councilman Tola Marts plans to run for council again, to retain Position 7, in the November election.

Marts was elected to the city council in 2009 in a contested race for the seat vacated by long-time council member David Kappler.

In his second year on the council, the land and shore committee absorbed most of the functions of the major planning and growth committee. In this capacity Marts spearheaded the adoption of the Rowley Development Agreement, a development in one of the most vital areas of the valley floor.

Marts was elected council president in 2012, as the council adopted both the Lakeside Development agreement and the Central Issaquah Plan. Marts implemented reforms in the goal setting process that have continued after his presidency, and enacted goals that provide transparency to the city’s budget.

Marts is an engineer with Intellectual Ventures Labs in Bellevue.

Since 2006, Marts has lived on Squak Mountain with his wife, Tracy, and two children.