Council declares two Ward 5 school-board seats vacant; application window set

The Rochester City Council on Aug. 5 declared two Ward 5 school-board seats vacant and set a timeline for filling them under the city charter. Mayor Callahan said the city charter requires the council to fill vacancies and described the next steps: statements of interest will be accepted through 9 a.m. on Aug. 19; candidates will be interviewed during the council workshop, and the council will vote on replacements at its regular meeting on Sept. 2. Councilors conducted roll-call votes to declare each seat vacant. Council members who recorded "yes" during the roll calls included Councilor Deja Vu, Councilor Fitzpatrick, Councilor Sullivan, Councilor Horn, Councilor Walker, Councilor Herrmann, Councilor Fontenot, Councilor Credo, Councilor Richardson, Councilor Hammond, Councilor Carullian and Mayor Callahan; the motions carried. Mayor Callahan emphasized the process is prescribed by the city charter and that the council cannot hold a special meeting to make the appointments; items will be acted on at the next regular meeting after the interview process. The council said applications will be reviewed at the Aug. 19 workshop and voted on at the Sept. 2 regular meeting.