The Petoskey City Council voted 4-0 on Jan. 24 to appoint Joe Nachtfeld to the Ward 3 council seat left vacant by the resignation of Brian Wagner.

Council Member Shields made the motion to approve the appointment, and Council Member DeMour seconded it. The council recorded four affirmative votes: Shields, DeMour, Walker and Murphy.

Council members asked about Nachtfeld’s prior local service and his availability. Council Member Moore spoke about Nachtfeld’s prior service on local boards and said staff member Beck provided records showing a first term on the city Board of Review beginning Feb. 15, 2016, a reappointment on March 17, 2021, and a later resignation before the end of that term. Moore said he had discussed Nachtfeld’s background by phone. City Manager Shane described the intended relationship between the Board of Review and the city assessor, saying the assessor provides technical guidance while board members make independent decisions.

Council Member Walker asked about residency and voting status. Staff confirmed Nachtfeld is a homestead property owner who votes in Petoskey and has lived in his house for about 25 years; Walker also asked whether Nachtfeld would be present for meetings if he traveled, and Council members said Nachtfeld told them he would fly back for meetings when needed.

Council members and the mayor discussed election timing for the seat. The council clarified that the appointee will serve until a special election to fill the seat, which the council discussed as occurring in November 2025; the winner of that special election would serve the remainder of the term, and the regular three-year election cycle for the Ward 3 seat would next fall in 2026. Council members also discussed ward and city convention timing in June for nominations under the city’s election calendar.

Mayor Zertler said staff would provide Nachtfeld with a packet of information; the mayor also described Nachtfeld as a certified public accountant with prior service in Bay Harbor community leadership, remarks attributed to the mayor during the meeting. The council adjourned after the appointment vote.