Mount Clemens lays out application timeline to fill vacant commission seat

The Mount Clemens City Commission discussed how it will fill the vacancy left by Commissioner Gary Blasch and staff proposed a timetable to guide the appointment process.

City staff said the vacancy must be filled by a majority vote of the remaining commissioners under the city charter and outlined a schedule: accept applications through Friday, Dec. 4; allow applicants to introduce themselves at the Dec. 7 meeting; hold interviews if needed between Dec. 7 and Dec. 21; and consider appointing a candidate at the Dec. 21 meeting, with the intended appointment effective at the first January meeting. If the commission does not appoint someone by Jan. 8 (the 60-day charter deadline as calculated starting from the swearing-in of the new commission on Nov. 9), the charter requires a special election for the unexpired term, which staff recommended holding at the Aug. 2, 2016 state primary to meet filing deadlines.

The city attorney confirmed the 60-day clock began on Nov. 9 because that date reflected the start of the newly seated commission's term under the charter. Staff said there is no standard application form and recommended accepting a letter of interest with a resume and any supporting materials; staff will advertise the vacancy on the city's website and in print (Macomb Daily and the Journal) with insertion dates planned around Nov. 20–25 and Nov. 25, respectively.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the timing and whether an appointment could be made sooner. City staff emphasized that any appointed commissioner would hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term (through November 2017) and that if the commission reaches agreement earlier it may act before the Dec. 21 date.

The commission did not take immediate action to appoint a replacement at the Nov. 16 meeting; staff invited interested residents to submit a letter of interest and resume to the clerk's office.