The Escanaba City Council voted on May 1 to remove Planning Commission member Patrick Connor after a public hearing on charges of nonfeasance for missed meetings.

Administration told the council that Connor missed seven meetings in 2024 and four meetings in 2025 and that staff had attempted to contact him by mail, phone and email without response. City Manager Laura (last name not stated) told the council that written notice of the hearing had been provided and that Connor did not request a continuance, send a representative or respond in writing.

At the public hearing, an attendee questioned whether the council had followed the planning commission ordinance of 2024 and Robert’s Rules of Order, asserting that written charges and an opportunity to prepare a defense are required. “I think the council is missing a step here because I don't see any written charges,” the commenter said, and argued that due process required informing the commissioner of the charges and allowing him to defend himself.

City officials responded that a letter notifying Connor of the hearing had been sent, that the notice was published in the newspaper 15 days before the meeting, and that staff had tried multiple forms of contact. The planning commission liaison confirmed the commission had suffered attendance issues and that one member had resigned.

Councilor DeMay called the roll on the removal motion. Recorded votes in the transcript include Councilor DuBour: yes; Councilor Bauschau: yes; Councilor Moore: yes; Mary Hammel: yes. The motion to remove Patrick Connor carried and the council invited Connor to reapply for future vacancies if his situation changes.

Officials characterized the removal as administrative: “This removal is not meant as a punishment … It is to allow the planning commission to fill with members who can function,” the mayor said. The council and staff emphasized their stated intent to preserve commission functionality and to fill vacancies to avoid cancelled meetings and to maintain quorum.

The council’s action removes Connor from the Planning Commission effective immediately; council members stated the removal was based on missed meetings and lack of response to notice.