Wayne Snoey will soon be relegated to an uncomfortable position — the sidelines.

“I like to be involved,” Snoey said. “I prefer to not sit back and watch. I like to be involved in community.”

Citing health concerns, Snoey, 63, has resigned from the Covington City Council, effective Dec. 31. He announced his resignation at the Nov. 25 council meeting.

Snoey first served on the council from January 2002 through March 2004 — leaving for health-related problems — and again from October 2007 to present, taking over for Don Henning, who died September 2007. He was re-elected twice with no opposition. Snoey battled stage three prostate cancer in 2011-12.

Though he is in remission, Snoey said his health hasn’t been able to keep up with his chaotic council duties and increasingly busy full-time job as a real estate broker.

“I just can’t do both,” said Snoey, principal managing broker for Coldwell Banker Bain in Kent. “I’m too tired…. Being on the council takes about four times more time than people realize.”

Snoey said he’d hoped to continue through the last year of his term, but expects to remain involved in local politics.

“I’m going to miss it very much,” he said. “I’ve established relationships at many levels in government throughout the region and state. It’s very hard to walk away completely, but my health and family have to come first. If there’s some time left over, then I will try to engage where time permits.”

Snoey entered Covington’s public realm at a time of unrest — with a barrage of infighting and unpredictably. Snoey considers the ensuing changes to teamwork, civility, transparency, maturity and professionalism major pieces of his legacy.

“The council has worked very hard to be open in front of our citizens,” he said. “Previous councils did not have appearance of being open. It was, frankly, embarrassing with all the in-fighting going on in the council. We were able to make some very drastic changes.”

Mark Lanza, who joined the council with Snoey, agreed with the assessment. Lanza said he and Snoey helped bring the city from a “laughing stock” to one of the prides of Southeast King County.

Lanza described Snoey as “dedicated, driven and passionate,” and “awesome.”

“We’re going to miss him,” Lanza said. “I don’t know how else to say it. We’re going to miss him a lot.”

Snoey directed much of his efforts over the years at transportation and children’s issues. He spent time as chair of the South County Area Transportation Board, as a member of the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board and a member of the King County Flood Control District Advisory Board. His vast community work included chair for the Windermere Foundation for South King County for 10 years, a member of the Children’s Home Society Corporate Partners for Kids Committee and a regular participant in Relay for Life.

Snoey said he took pride in the additional metro bus services available in Covington as a result of his efforts, as well as obtaining several grants for large road projects. Snoey mentioned the recent hiring of a school resource officer at Kentwood High School, something he pressed for a long time, as one of his accomplishments. He said he’s also proud of the safe walking path projects still working their way through the process.

“In government, things take a long time sometimes to accomplish,” he said. “Patience is required.”

Lanza credited Snowy for his relentless passion for transportation.

“I’ve taken a lot of pride in what Wayne’s done for the city,” Lanza said. “Just the passion he had for his city. The guy really worked himself into exhaustion.”

Snoey said Covington is currently a well-thought of city “at every level in the region.” He praised the council’s ability to work through disagreements professionally and competently.

“We might not always agree on issues, and we may argue very strongly on different viewpoints, be we are able to shake hands and be friends and not carry grudges,” he said.

Covington residents can apply for the vacant No. 5 council position by sending a letter of interest by Jan. 2. Letters should be sent or dropped off at City Hall, attention of City Clerk Sharon Scott.

The council is also encouraging residents to submit questions that could be considered for asking at interviews for the position. Question ideas can be sent to the same address as the letter of interest or to citycouncil@covingtonwa.gov.

Snoey said he knows of “two or three well-qualified people” considering the spot. He advised potential council members to be aware of the considerable time commitment needed to be successful.

“It’s an everyday job,” Snoey said. “You don’t really get paid much but there’s always something – emails, commitments, meetings. It’s far more than the twice a month meeting that people see.”

Lanza said Snoey’s shoes won’t be easily filled.

“He’s not going to be replaced easily, that’s for sure,” Lanza said.