Jefferson City moves forward with Ward 2 vacancy process, officials eye changes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Jefferson City Council is moving forward with filling the vacant Ward 2 seat following Councilman Aaron Mealy’s resignation earlier this month, though city officials say the process may need to be changed moving forward.
During Monday’s meeting, City Attorney Nathan Nickolaus outlined how the process works under the current city code, while also acknowledging concerns about how it has been handled in the past.
Nickolaus explained that under the city charter, the mayor is supposed to nominate a candidate subject to council approval, however the ordinance expands that process.
Under the ordinance, council members must make nominations at their next meeting on April 6. Each nomination requires a second, and once nominated, candidates will have four days to file a declaration of candidacy with the city clerk, including a cover letter and resume.
Ward 2 Councilman Mike Lester raised concerns that the process was handled differently the last time the council filled a vacancy and proposed updating the ordinance before holding a public session.
However, Nickolaus said any changes would have to be made at the April 6 meeting, which could create a longer meeting focused on both nominations and ordinance changes.
“You can look at the ordinance, and it’s very clear. Step one, nominations, it says when those nominations have to take place. Step two is declaration of candidacy, it says when those has to take place, and then the public session, which it doesn’t say that’s set by the council,” Nickolaus said in response to Lester’s concerns. “Then there’s the election and it says when that takes place. You can’t progress them all in one meeting. The ordinance doesn’t allow it.”
Under the current ordinance, the city must also hold a public session between April 10 and April 20.
After a lengthy discussion, the council voted 8-1 to hold that session on April 13, with Ward 3 Councilman Derek Thomas voting no due to a scheduling conflict. During that public session, candidates will have an opportunity to address and answer questions from the city council.
Nickolaus said the earliest the council can vote on a replacement is April 20, and a candidate must receive a majority of the nine-member council. Voting will continue until a majority is reached. An official election date, which can take place anytime after April 20th, has not been set.
Nickolaus also noted that some practices used during previous vacancies, such as inviting candidates to speak and answer questions during the nomination process, are not included in the current ordinance. He added that the ordinance, last updated in 2009, should likely be changed, but cannot be amended before this appointment process is completed.
“We’re trying really hard to make sure we follow this code book. So when we hear about these processes, and we are not following our code, it’s really disappointing to me,” City Administrator Brian Crane said during the meeting. “I just want everybody to understand we’re trying best we can to follow the laws that are in place if we don’t like the laws, we change the laws, but we don’t just ignore the laws.”
The city has already begun accepting letters of interest for the position. City spokeswoman Molly Bryan said Monday afternoon that two letters had been submitted.
Interested residents must submit a letter of interest outlining their qualifications to the city clerk. Candidates must be U.S. citizens at least 21 years old, have lived in the city for at least one year and in the ward for six months, and meet additional eligibility requirements.
Mealy, who was elected in 2023 and had one year remaining in his term, announced his resignation in an email to local media on March 2.
“It has been an honor to serve the residents of this community. However, I can no longer in good conscience continue in this role due to ongoing trust, honesty, and accountability issues with city hall administration,” the email states.
His replacement will serve the remainder of his term.
