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ISHPEMING -- The Ishpeming City Council will be a body of four until Aug. 2.
A vacancy was created when councilor Stuart Skauge passed away on June 16.
Councilor Lindsay Bean made a motion for the council to accept three nominating petitions that had already been received and open the process for an additional 14 days.
Bean said she thinks that there was "less time that there might normally have been".
"The seat became vacant since our last regularly scheduled meeting and we also had a holiday that fell in the middle of the week that took place during this time as well," Bean said.
City Attorney Caroline Bridges said "this is one of those situations where there isn't a lot to go by" but said that the time constraint is a valid reason to extend the application deadline. The city charter states the city has 30 days from the time of vacancy to fill the position.
Councilor Pat Scanlon said he had two people that were interested in applying but the deadline had closed before they could act.
"I'm not saying they didn't have adequate time or anything…." Scanlon said. "So I'm not saying this is an excuse but it was a bad time of the year and I think we're obligated to try and get the best candidates that we can and it seems some people were blocked out by a time constraint."
Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Firby asked whether the decision to extend the application deadline would be in violation of the city's charter. Bridges said the charter leaves an "awful lot of discretion to the city council as far as what to do."
"You came up with this petition's procedure and to extend it by another two weeks, you know you're considering it within 30 days," Bridges said. "It complies as much as any other procedure would go."
Ishpeming Mayor Jason Chapman said if the council did extend the application that they should "iron out" a formal procedure.
"We really don't have a very set-in-stone procedure either and that is really bothering me that we don't have this better spelled out," Chapman said.
The motion to extend the application deadline was passed with the new deadline to 4 p.m. on July 27 was unanimous. A special council meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m. on Aug. 2 to review, discuss and appoint by majority vote the next council member.
Chapman said the three present applicants will not have to do anything else but anyone who applies for the position is required to attend the special meeting to talk with the council.
During public comment, several residents expressed concern about the extension.
Ishpeming resident Claudia Demarest said the charter is "very clear" and read it out loud to the council.
"A vacancy occurring on the council or any elected office, shall be filled within 30 days by a majority vote of the remaining council members…." Demarest said. "I can't believe the disrespect that the four of (you) have just shown to the three people who had no problem getting their petitions in on time."
Former mayor Mike Tonkin was one of the three applicants. He also took issue with the decision.
"I'm at a loss for words which you know is not easy for me to be," Tonkin said. "Saying I'm disappointed is just the tip of the iceberg."
He said he gave up a day at camp with family to make sure he submitted his application on time.
"This (the application extension period) should have been thought of several weeks ago before it was even brought forward," Tonkin said.
Another applicant, Ishpeming resident Renelle Halverson, said she was disappointed. She said the decision to push the deadline out for 14 days was a "really bad decision."
"It seems unbelievably unfair. I work as a nurse, I have a family and I have obligations and I got the work done. This is important to me. And I really think you've really disregarded the fact that the people you are expecting to show dedication to this job, (to) be here, get up front, do your homework and figure out what the issue is and address it on time," Halverson said. "I just think, really, this all should have been worked out before I came in to apply for this job. Because this is disappointing, very disappointing."
The Mining Journal reached out to city officials for further comment but they did not respond before publication deadline.
To watch the full council meeting, go to youtube.com/watch?v=MfQC6JBHbUA.