EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing City Council is currently seeking eligible applicants to fill two vacant seats on the City Council.
The application is available online at www.cityofeastlansing.com/councilapplication and a printed application will be provided upon request at the East Lansing City Clerk’s office, 410 Abbot Road. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be a resident of East Lansing and registered to vote in East Lansing. Applications will be accepted online or in person at the East Lansing City Clerk’s office through 5 p.m. on Monday, July 27. Applicants must be available to participate in an online, televised public interview during a special, electronic meeting of the City Council (see meeting schedule below). If accommodations are required to participate in the online interview, such as internet access or an electronic device, please contact Emily Gordon at egordon@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6869.
City Council is seeking to make the appointment process for the new City Councilmembers as public as possible, with several opportunities for East Lansing citizens to provide public input. Citizens and potential applicants are advised of the following public meeting schedule:
- Wednesday, July 29 at 7 p.m.
At this public meeting, City Council will hold a listening session to hear from citizens prior to the public interviews and citizens will have an opportunity to weigh in on potential questions for the Council candidates. Council will finalize the candidate interview questions at this meeting, which will be shared with all candidates prior to the public interviews. Citizens may also share their feedback on potential interview questions prior to this public meeting by sending an email to council@cityofeastlansing.com or submitting their questions in person at the East Lansing City Clerk’s office, 410 Abbot Road.
- Thursday, July 30 at 5 p.m.
First round of public interviews to take place. There will be an opportunity for public comment after the interviews.
- Friday, July 31 at 9 a.m.
Second round of public interviews to take place (if needed). There will be an opportunity for public comment after the interviews.
- Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m.
City Council will deliberate and make a final decision on the Councilmember appointments. There will be an opportunity for public comment at the meeting.
Pursuant to Executive Order 2020-154, these public meetings will be held electronically due to coronavirus in the community. The meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 22 and online at https://cityofeastlansing.civicweb.net/Portal/ with closed captioning. Public meeting notices (including public comment call-in details) and meeting agendas will be posted at www.cityofeastlansing.com/electronicmeetings up to 18 hours prior to each meeting.
By City Charter, the vacant seats on Council must be filled within 30 days of the vacancies. The appointment of the two new Councilmembers will be followed by an Oath of Office.
The City of East Lansing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant will be denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities, and for religious observances and practices.