Council appoints Peter Hans to fill vacated Allegan council seat

The City of Allegan City Council appointed Peter Hans on April 28 to complete the unexpired term of Bill Morgan, who resigned for health reasons. Joel Dye, the city manager, told council that Bill Morgan had requested Hans be appointed and noted Hans’ prior service on city council and recent candidacy as evidence of his interest and familiarity with city processes. "Peter Hans served on the city council before and is well informed of the processes and issues currently facing the city," Dye said.

Council member [name redacted in transcript] moved to appoint Hans and another council member seconded the motion. During discussion, one member said the appointment appeared to have been made at Morgan's request and questioned why the city hadn’t opened the seat to an application process; another member said they were not opposed to Hans personally but preferred posting an application. The council voted and the appointment passed. Two council members vocalized opposition during the vote, but the motion carried.

The appointment fills the council seat through the term’s scheduled expiration in November 2026. Council did not adopt a different process at the meeting; members who preferred an application process said they wanted the city to consider it in future vacancy fills.

Next steps: Hans will assume the council seat; the council did not set an additional public application or hearing on this item at the April 28 meeting.