Vacant Council Seat to Be Filled by Appointment : Government: Applications will be taken until Dec. 23 for the position formerly held by Grace Napolitano.

NORWALK —  The City Council has decided to appoint a new member to fill the council seat vacated by Grace M. Napolitano, who was elected to the Assembly last month.

A special election, which would have cost the city $50,000 to $55,000, was ruled out, Mayor Robert J. Arthur said.

The council will accept applications beginning Monday until noon, Dec. 23, and plans to make a decision by Jan. 4, Arthur said. Each candidate will be interviewed at a public session Dec. 30, he said.

The new council member will serve out the remainder of Napolitano’s term, which expires in April, 1994.

So far, Danny Lopez, a city Parks and Recreation commissioner, has said he will apply for the vacant council seat. Lopez is a consultant at Sanchez Elementary School.

Napolitano easily won election Nov. 3 to the 58th Assembly District.

At her last council meeting Tuesday, she was showered with praise, plaques and flowers from council colleagues, city officials, and various groups and residents. A councilwoman since 1986, she served as mayor from April, 1989, to April, 1990, and most recently was mayor pro tem.

Clearly moved by the hourlong outpouring of praise, Napolitano thanked Norwalk community members for their years of support and pledged to work on behalf of the city in Sacramento.

“The first concern is jobs,” she said. “I’m also going to be an advocate for seniors. And education is also a priority.”

Councilman Luigi A. Vernola was selected to succeed Napolitano as mayor pro tem.