Rules committee forwards ordinance to codify council vacancy process to full council

The Lee's Summit City Council Rules Committee voted unanimously March 20 to forward draft ordinance 2025-6800, which would add a new section establishing the procedure for filling a vacancy on the city council, to the full council with a recommendation of approval.

The ordinance would place the vacancy procedure in the city's Code of Ordinances, chapter 2, reflecting the process the council followed after a recent resignation. Mr. Head, a staff member who drafted the ordinance, told the committee he "took the process that we followed last time, tried to condense it just a little bit" and that the draft "is very similar to what we did before." The ordinance text includes timelines for soliciting and vetting applicants and for scheduling interviews.

Committee members said they generally supported the draft but debated how prescriptive to make the deadlines. Council member Reeder said the previous process "dragged out a little bit" and urged that "time is of the essence" so the city can restore representation to the affected district quickly. Council member Rader proposed limiting only the maximum filing period — "the council shall allow no more than 30 days for the filing of such applications" — so a future council could shorten the period if it wished. Several members, including Council member Carlisle and Council member Hodges, said they were satisfied with the overall process as written.

Mr. Head explained how the charter affects timing in some cases: if a vacancy occurs close to the city's election calendar, the charter can require an election (the committee discussed that the city holds elections in April) and an appointee would serve only until that next election. The committee discussed leaving some flexibility in the ordinance to accommodate holidays or other calendar constraints.

After discussion, Council member Carlisle moved to forward the draft ordinance to the full council with a recommendation of approval; Council member Hodges seconded. The motion passed unanimously: Carlisle, Hodges, Rader and Chairperson Shields voted "aye." Earlier, the committee also approved its meeting agenda and the Feb. 20 action letter by unanimous votes.

The item will be placed on the full council agenda in April, staff said. Mr. Head noted the timing of agenda publication and the council's calendar when scheduling the item.

The committee did not change the draft's substantive steps; it signaled support for keeping the framework while allowing a future council to amend timelines or other details if it chooses.