City begins process to fill commission vacancy

By Grace Lovins

With a seat to fill on the Birmingham City Commission, the search has begun for a new individual to take up the position.

During the Monday, November 25, city commission meeting, commissioners and city staff talked about the application and selection process dictated in the city’s charter.

The vacant seat arose after former mayor and commissioner Elaine McLain submitted her resignation to the city on November 18, following a leave of absence for “undisclosed personal reasons.” Stated in the city’s charter, Birmingham has 30 days from receipt of resignation to appoint a new commissioner, said city manager Jana Ecker.

Members of the public who would like to apply for the opening can do so by filling out the application on the city’s website. Completed applications must be sent to the clerk’s office by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11.

An appointment must be made by December 16, 2024, to be in compliance with the city charter. Applications that are received will be included in the meeting packet, per city attorney Mary Kucharek, and members of the public will have the opportunity to provide their opinions on the applicants by contacting the commission before the meeting.

The discussion came after commissioner Clinton Baller requested to remove the item from the consent agenda. After discussions, the commission voted 6-0 to authorize Birmingham clerk Alexandria Bingham to move forward with the application process.

The application is available at https://bhamgov.wufoo.com/forms/x7.