11 - Selection Process for Filling Vacant Council District TwoItem No. 11
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro -Tem & City Council
Grayson Path, City Manager
FROM: Janice Ellis, City Clerk
SUBJECT: SELECTION PROCESS FOR FILLING VACANT CITY COUNCIL
DISTRICT TWO SEAT
DATE: June 10, 2024
BACKGROUND: On May 20, 2024, Reginald Hughes resigned from City Council District
Two, leaving a vacant seat.
STATUS OF ISSUE: City Charter Section 20 reads, "...A vacancy in the council shall be filled
by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Council by the selection of a person
possessing all the qualifications prescribed by section 15 of this Charter and by V.T.C.A.,
Election Code, Chapter 141, as amended, who shall be a bona fide resident..."
In order to move forward with selecting a person to serve as the City Council District Two
Council Member, it is necessary to decide on a process by which to fill the vacant position.
Option 1: Nominate and appoint a qualified person residing in District Two to fill the vacant
position on the City Council.
Option 2: Direct staff to announce the vacancy and follow the appointment process (attached to
this memo), or one similar.
BUDGET: N/A
RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to announce the vacancy and follow the procedure outlined
in the attached appointment process.
City of Paris Appointment Process for Council Members
Council announces vacancy and asks all qualified persons interested in serving on the
council to write a letter stating their reasons for interest in the position and their
qualifications.
The letters should be addressed to the Mayor and Council and sent to the attention of the
City Clerk.
3. Council sets a time to begin and stop receiving letters and also sets the date for
interviewing candidates.
4. The City Clerk reviews the applicants as though they were candidate applications for
eligibility in accordance with the Charter and election laws.
5. Applicants who do not meet the qualifications to fill the vacancy will be notified of that
fact by the City Clerk.
6. Letters will be placed in the council packets for a special meeting.
7. Council holds a special meeting to interview applicants.
8. Council votes to select candidate to fill vacancy.
9. Appointee sworn in at beginning of next meeting.
I hereby certify that there are no willful misrepresentations, omissions or falsifications
in the foregoing statements and answers to questions. I understand that any omission or
false statements on this application shall be sufficient cause for voiding the application.
I further understand that the City of Paris will be conducting a thorough background
investigation that may include, but not be limited to any criminal history, employment
history and/or personal references.
Signature of Applicant Date
Interview Questions — District 2
1. What do you consider your best personal and professional strengths? Be specific and offer
examples.
2. Of what career or personal achievement are you most proud?
3. Describe what you believe would be your strongest and most significant contributions to this
Council and to the City of Paris as a Member of the Paris City Council.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important issues facing Paris today?
5. What process do you follow in making decisions?
6. What do you believe qualifies you to represent the people in District 2, on the City Council?
7. Paris is by Charter a Council -Manager form of government. What is your perception of how a
council member functions in the government?
8. Do you feel you have the personal time to devote to serving as a council member?
9. Please describe your dreams and vision for Paris.