As Bill Holmberg attended his last meeting as a Chelsea City Council member earlier this week, a discussion of how to fill his open seat ensued.

Holmberg had previously announced his resignation as of April 24, and his council colleagues and city staff thanked him for his almost 4 1/2 years of service to the city.

“We hope they’ll ask the same tough questions,” said City Manager John Hanifan of a successor. “Maybe (this person will) even wear a chicken hat,” referring to a time when Holmberg arrived at a City Council work session on backyard chickens wearing a chicken hat.

“I do want to express my sincere gratitude … I really enjoyed this and it wasn’t the easiest thing for me to do … but I do thank you for your support," Holmberg told the City Council at the meeting on Tuesday.

Chelsea Mayor Jason Lindauer said, “The quality of community is exemplified by those who serve … whoever comes after you will have big shoes to fill.”

New job responsibilities and a pending move to Lyndon Township preclude Holmberg from continuing his elected position in the city; however he intends to remain a part of the Washtenaw Area Value Express board as its secretary.

Hanifan quoted the city charter procedure for filling a vacancy. “Any vacancy in the council, which occurs more than 59 days before the next regular election, (which this one did) may be filled within 60 days by a majority vote of the members of the council then in office.

This is the first vacancy on the City Council since Chelsea became a city.

City Council members brought up a number of scenarios for replacing Holmberg, including holding a work session to discuss what process would be used to fill the position to having Lindauer vet the letters of interest and bring a choice or choices to the City Council for further discussion.

The City Council decided to post the vacancy and give interested city residents the opportunity to apply for the position during the next 30 days, but what process would be used to choose a successor was left up to Hanifan, who will “map out a process” for discussion at the next City Council meeting.

Both Council Members Rod Anderson and Cheri Albertson said they wanted the opportunity to vet all the applicants, not just those people selected by the mayor.

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