Council tables planning commission reappointment amid concern over multiple unfilled seats

The Warren City Council on March 10 debated the reappointment of Michael Halawadi to the planning commission and ultimately voted to table the reappointment indefinitely.

Halawadi spoke briefly during the agenda’s audience portion thanking the mayor for nominating him and saying he would answer questions when his appointment came up. During the agenda item, several council members criticized the mayor’s office for not forwarding other overdue commission appointments and noted that multiple commissions have members serving on expired terms. Council members argued that the mayor should prioritize filling vacant seats before reappointing incumbents whose terms have not yet expired.

Councilmember Lafferty moved to table the reappointment; the motion received support and passed by a 5–2 tally (the transcript records votes in favor by Lafferty, Boike, Dwyer, Moore and one other; Noonan and McGee voted no). City counsel clarified that the reappointment process requires council approval and that, under charter and state law, a person may continue to serve past term expiration until a successor is appointed.

The council’s tabling does not remove Halawadi from the commission immediately; counsel explained that a tabling motion does not end his ability to serve during the existing partial term. The administration and legal staff were asked to provide a fuller accounting of commissions and outstanding appointment needs.

Next steps: staff will provide the council with an accounting of vacant and expired commission seats and return to the council on appointment priorities.