The Bemidji City Council, in addition to their special meeting this afternoon, will meet for a regular meeting Monday.
According to the agenda, council will discuss the Bemidji Downtown Alliance’s parking rates proposal, consider crosswalk artwork at two intersections of downtown Beltrami Avenue, and discuss a reopening plan of the city’s playgrounds, beaches and the skatepark.
The council will also consider declaring a council vacancy for the at large council seat and ordering a special election.
Current at large councillor Jim Thompson has not been present for the past few council meetings, which have been held online.
Thompson, in his early 90s, narrowly won the at large seat in 2018.
City charter states that three unexcused absences from regular council meetings in a row are grounds for dismissal from the council.
If the council declares the vacancy, there would be six of the seven council seats up for election this year. The Ward 2 race is a special election, due to a vacancy declared after the resignation of Mike Beard.
In the regular election cycle, Wards 1, 3 and 5 are up, each are four-year terms, and the mayor’s seat, a two-year term.
Filing for Wards 1, 2, 3 and 5 and the mayoral race is open until 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 2.
Monday Council Agenda and access instructions: 6-1-20 CC Electronic Meeting Notice -Agenda
City Charter (council vacancy information in Chapter 2 on page 7-8) Charter_-_Final_2017
