Jersey Village council sets July timeline to fill vacated Place 3 seat

Jersey Village — The Jersey Village City Council took steps to fill the Place 3 seat after Council member Michelle Martin announced she is stepping down, instructing the city secretary to open applications on the existing committee web form with a new checkbox for Place 3 and setting a July 10, 5 p.m. application deadline.

Under the process approved by the council, applicants will submit materials online and the council will hear three-minute pitches at its July regular meeting, then administer an oath and seat the selected replacement immediately at the same meeting. The city will publish the vacancy and application packet in advance so residents can prepare to apply.

Council member Michelle Martin, who is resigning because she has moved outside the city, said she was not rushing the decision and urged a careful choice. "I've put in over a decade of my life into this city and it's not something I want to abandon or leave quickly," she said, adding that she wanted a successor with the same commitment to the community. Martin also suggested a specific candidate: "I do think the seat will be well served by Ashley Brown," she said.

Council members discussed whether to call a special session or wait for the regular July meeting and noted the importance of transparency and giving potential applicants time to decide. One council member recommended allowing applicants time to talk to family and assess the commitment; another said the regular meeting gives the process more public visibility.

City staff indicated the city secretary will modify the online form quickly and the council's timeline will allow the selected candidate to begin the work and be sworn in at the July meeting. The motion to set the process and deadline passed by voice vote.

Next steps: the city will publish the vacancy materials after the web form is adjusted; applications will close July 10 at 5 p.m., applicants who make the shortlist will present three-minute remarks at the July meeting, and the council will select and swear in the replacement at that meeting.