For the second time this year, the Chelsea City Council will add a new member.
Earlier this year, the City Council had to fill a vacancy on the council when Bill Holmberg moved out of Chelsea and was forced to resign. Six residents applied for the spot and Marcia Parker was appointed.
Tuesday night, Nov. 13, the City Council unanimously approved a process to fill the seat of Kent Martinez-Kratz, who was elected to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners last week.
So, in November, 2013, both appointee’s terms will end, and the seats will be up for election. This means that next year, the mayor’s seat, and five council member’s positions will be up for election said City Manager John Hanifan.
This will be the largest number of council seats up for grabs at the same time since the village became a city.
The application process for Martinez-Krantz’ seat officially opens today for any Chelsea resident who has lived in the city for at least one year and is a registered voter. In addition, applicants cannot be arrears on any bills owed to the city.
Interested residents should apply with the city clerk or download this form. Chelsea City Council applicant form.pdf. Applications should be submitted to Chelsea City Clerk, 305 S. Main St., Ste. 100, Chelsea, 48118.
There will be an information session on Nov. 27 at the regular City Council meeting for anyone who is interested in applying, and the last day to submit an application is Nov. 30.
On Dec. 4, the City Council plans to hold interviews for all applicants.
If a second round of interviews is needed, that will take place on Dec. 11 and the council will begin its deliberations at a special meeting.
On Jan. 8, the City Council will make its appointment at the beginning of the meeting and the new member will be sworn-in and attend the meeting as a council member.
On Nov. 15, 2013, the appointed member of the council term ends.
Martinez-Kratz said it was “an honor to serve the citizens of Chelsea on the City Council … We’ve done a lot of great things in Chelsea.”
He said he wants to continue doing that at the county and he thanked current County Commissioner Rob Turner for his 10 years on the Board of Education as well as his two years on the County Board of Commissioners.
Martinez-Kratz defeated Turner in the recent general election for the seat.
