Hannibal council debates appointments process; reading for Planning and Zoning seat approved

HANNIBAL, Mo. '1 June 3, 2025 '1 The Hannibal City Council spent much of its June 3 meeting discussing how the city fills volunteer boards and commissions and whether the power to appoint should be moved from the city manager to the mayor.

Councilwoman April Azatayev moved to table two Planning and Zoning (P&Z) appointment readings so other interested candidates could apply; the motion failed on a roll call. The council then approved the reading for two nominees for the P&Z commission, Roger McGregor and Michael Dobson, by a 5-to-1 vote. "As reading, passes 5 to 1," the clerk announced; Councilwoman Azatayev recorded the lone dissent.

Council members discussed a broader overhaul: City staff said the city currently has about 20 boards and commissions, 16 appointed by the mayor under the charter and four appointed by the city manager. Several councilmembers and staff suggested placing a charter amendment on the November ballot that would transfer appointment authority to the mayor; Mayor McCoy said the goal is to bring appointments "back underneath the mayor." The group discussed better public outreach and collecting letters of interest and candidate bios so the council can review nominees before readings.

Melissa (City Clerk) and Andy Dorian (city staff) described options used elsewhere, including requiring letters of interest, centralizing the vacancy list, and sending shortlists to councilmembers for review. No charter amendment was adopted at Tuesday's meeting; several councilmembers said they want improved recruitment and documentation of candidate bios and letters of interest prior to appointing members. Members also discussed that P&Z is a five-member board with four mayor-appointed seats historically filled through the current process and that some boards require specific subject-matter experience.

The council voted for the P&Z reading rather than delaying appointments; staff said they will publicize vacancies and gather letters of interest for future openings and that additional related appointments (park board, airport board, Board of Public Works) may come before the council at the next meeting.