Cedar Falls Mayor-elect Rob Green will begin his mayoral term on January 2, 2020. Mayor-elect Green had previously served in the Cedar Falls City Council At-Large position, with his term running from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021.
In order to serve as Mayor, Mayor-elect Green will resign from his At-Large council seat effective at noon on January 2, 2020. This resignation creates a vacancy for the position on the council and will leave six active council members in Cedar Falls until that position is filled. The individual who succeeds Mayor-elect Green in the At-Large council position will serve until the end of his original term only.
On January 6, 2020, during the Cedar Falls City Council meeting beginning at 7:00 PM, the following council agenda item will be brought forth to determine how the council will proceed in filling the vacancy. This can be done in one of two ways:
- Consideration of filling council vacancy by appointment. If passed, then the next agenda item will be Resolution approving the filling of the vacancy by appointment, directing the Cedar Falls City Clerk to publish notice of same, and establishing the date of appointment.
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- Consideration of Resolution calling for a special election to fill the council vacancy. If passed, the next agenda item would be Resolution calling for special election. If that is passed, a Resolution setting the date of the special election would be adopted as soon as a date is coordinated with the County Auditor.
In the event of a Council Appointment vote - In order to appoint a new at-large council member, the majority of council must vote in favor of the appointment. If Council decides to appoint a representative, then it must publish notice of this appointment. The notice must state that the electors have the right to file a Petition for a Special Election within 14 days of the notice or appointment. At least 1000 eligible electors must sign the petition in order for a special election to be held under this option.
If the council votes in favor of appointment, any eligible electors that wish to seek the appointment of the At-Large council position need to contact Jacque Danielsen, Cedar Falls City Clerk, at (319) 273-8600 or email Jacque.Danielsen@cedarfalls.com. Nominees must submit their application by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, for consideration. The appointment would take place on January 20, 2020, and the effective start date for the new At-Large council member would begin as soon as the person is sworn into office.
In the event of a Special Election vote - The City of Cedar Falls will coordinate with the County Auditor to select a date for the election to be held. This will likely coincide with the Cedar Falls School election on March 3, 2020. If there is a special election, any eligible elector that is interested in running for the At-Large position must contact the Black Hawk County Auditor’s office.
Tentative Timeline for Filling Council Vacancy
January 6, 2020: Cedar Falls City Council votes on the agenda item regarding consideration of filling council vacancy by appointment OR consideration of Resolution calling for a special election.
January 13, 2020: If the City Council decides to fill the office by appointment, the City will publish the notice of filling vacancy. The notice of filling vacancy by appointment must state that electors have the right to file a petition for special election within 14 days of the notice, or of appointment. Such notice must be published at least once not less than four days, nor more than 20 days, before the appointment.
January 20, 2020: Cedar Falls City Council will discuss the following Agenda item at the council meeting – Resolution appointing council member to vacant council office. The appointment must be made within 60 days of vacancy.
February 3, 2020: If a valid petition for a special election is filed within 14 days of the appointment, then a special election must be held. A valid petition must include at least 1000 electors’ signatures.
February 3 or 17, 2020 (depending upon date petition is received): City Council will discuss the following agenda item at the council meeting – Receive and file special election petition AND Resolution setting the date of the special election.
March 3, 2020: In the event of a special election vote by City Council on January 6, 2020, the election will likely be held on March 3, 2020, alongside the Cedar Falls School election. The City will continue to keep the public updated as the process continues.
All dates may be subject to change.