Sault Ste. Marie’s newest member of city council was chosen by a draw, after a deadlocked vote didn’t produce a winner.

Former city councillor Ozzie Grandinetti’s name was picked out of bowl at council’s meeting on Monday evening, with the vote to select a new member of council tied at six to six.

He will be the replacement for outgoing councillor and recently elected MPP Ross Romano.

"Myself, I thought it was a joke," said Grandinetti.

"I think I should have been appointed two weeks ago, and to pick out of a hat, I didn't think it would get that far."

Council decided to go with an appointment, instead of a by-election, in a cost saving measure. Overall, seven local citizens submitted applications to become a city councillor.

Grandinetti finished third in the 2014 election, but council decided to open the process up to to other candidates.

After council members voted, Grandinetti and Luca Robibaro each received six votes.

The next step according to the Municipal Elections Act is for the city clerk to select the winner by lot.

Something the City of Sault Ste. Marie's clerk said is very rare.

"I'm really not sure how else you can decide a winner when you've got either a regular election tie vote or in this case, a tie vote on council," said Malcolm White, city clerk.

This will be Grandinetti's second stint on council. He served from 2006-2010.

He told CTV jobs are a priority for him.

"Jobs and keeping taxes lower," said Grandinetti.

"Jobs are scarce in town, especially in the trades. It's very hard to find people in the trades."

While Grandinetti is the successful candidate for the Ward 6 vacancy, he has not officially been sworn in as a member of city council. That will take place at the next meeting on July 17.