Lee resigns from PC City Council

At the start of the Prairie City City Council meeting Nov. 6, a chair at the end of the table was noticeably empty. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, mayor Chad Alleger announced councilman John Lee had sent in his resignation to the council.

“I received a phone call from John Lee this evening around 4:30 p.m. He said he is resigning his position effective immediately,” Alleger said.

Lee served on the council for the past two years and unsuccessfully challenged Alleger for the mayoral position in the Nov. 5 election.

“I feel I can add an awful lot to the council, but I think, I could be wrong, but 10 to 13 votes this year was in a 4-1 vote. I’ve put up valid points and was there ever any discussion or anything. I showed people my notes and I didn’t get anywhere,” Lee said. “The council is polarized. I am no longer an effective councilman because now it is me against them. I think it is best that I step back and let somebody else come in.”

Council will discuss how to fill the seat, which has two remaining years on the term, at a future meeting. Options before the council include appointment, which was done when Bob Beiner resigned from his seat, or a special election.

The council also finalized the timeline for the hire of the new city administrator. Ten applications were presented to the council and after an initial review, the council narrowed the list to four.

The four candidates will first have Skype interviews with the council Nov. 12. From there, the council can narrow down the field or continue with the same candidates.

On Nov. 22, if there is no conflicting events, the council is scheduled to hold a reception to meet the candidates in an informal setting. The next day, formal interviews will be held with each of the remaining candidates. The council is set to make a decision at a special meeting Nov. 25.

Council also gave approval for councilwoman-elect Debbie Townsend to be informed on the candidates and a part of the selection process. She will not have a vote in any matter, though.

“From this point forward, since she is going to be on the council Jan. 1, my recommendation is she be fully engaged and a part of this process,” search coordinator Patrick Callahan said. “That is typically what I do in a search like this, if a person is going to take office.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com