Clawson council to open application process to fill vacant council seat

The Clawson City Council voted Nov. 17 to solicit applications to fill an open council seat under a recently adopted ordinance, starting the 30‑day application window required by that rule. Council members discussed opening the review to the public and set a provisional timeline for review, interviews and a final appointment.

Under the motion approved on a unanimous roll call, the city clerk will post application materials and a deadline on the city website. Council members discussed making applications due by Nov. 24, though some members said a Nov. 25 “ish” deadline might be posted; the clerk was instructed to publish the precise cutoff and intake process. The council discussed a calendar that would allow the council to assemble applications at the Dec. 2 meeting, conduct candidate interviews at a special meeting proposed for Dec. 8, and select a replacement at the Dec. 16 council meeting.

Supporters of the open application process said it would allow residents who did not run a campaign to apply and would let the community review candidates; others noted the ordinance’s 30‑day timing and said staff might need special meeting dates to accommodate the schedule. The measure passed with all recorded votes in the affirmative.

Procedure and next steps: interested applicants were told to contact the city clerk’s office for the application packet and to watch the city website for the final posted deadline and submission instructions. The clerk and administration will assemble submitted materials for council review at the Dec. 2 meeting.