Application now available for Iowa City Council seat

IOWA CITY — The application to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Iowa City Council is now available.

The Iowa City Council last week voted unanimously to fill the vacancy by appointment instead of holding a special election. The appointee will succeed council member Janice Weiner, who resigned Nov. 9 after being elected a state senator to represent District 45.

One year is left on Weiner’s four-year, at-large council term, which runs through Jan. 2, 2024. Her resignation becomes effective Jan. 1.

The application is available online at iowa-city.org/forms/council-vacancy-application, or a paper copy can be picked up at City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

The application asks those interested to describe their background, what contributions they could make and what their current knowledge of the council is, among other questions.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 3.

The council will fill the vacancy at a special meeting at 3 p.m. Jan. 10 at City Hall. During the public meeting, finalists may make an oral presentation about their interest in the job, according to a city news release.

If voters want to petition for a special election, the petition must be filed within 14 days after the council decides on appointment or within 14 days after the appointment is made. A petition requesting a special election must have signatures from at least 743 eligible Iowa City voters.

Comments: (319) 339-3155; izabela.zaluska@thegazette.com