The Hannibal City Council is now short one member after the meeting held on Tuesday night, where it was announced effective immediately, 5th Ward Alderman Colin Welch had resigned his seat.
Welch was not present at the meeting, but the mayor of Hannibal, Barry Louderman, shared insights about the resignation. He stated it was "a personal decision and could not share any details" concerning the reasoning behind Welch’s abrupt exit from the council.
Having served on the council since 2017, Welch had one year left on his term. The announcement leaves one of the council's six member seats vacant. The council will now select a replacement from interested and eligible residents of the 5th Ward, with specific details on the selection process yet to be determined.
Welch's background brings some interest. He is one of the owners of American Glass & Overhead Door, established by his father during the mid-80s. Welch is also recognized as an Army veteran who was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Welch’s rise to the council was notable; he unseated incumbent Gordon Ipson during a special runoff election held less than a year after Ipson was appointed to the position, with voter turnout being less than ten percent.
The vacancy left by Welch's resignation prompts the city clerk, Melissa Cogdal, to call for citizens of the 5th Ward who are interested, to submit their letters of interest. Those who meet the verification criteria will then be invited to interview with the council. A vote will be conducted afterward to appoint the new member who will serve until the next municipal election.
Tuesday’s meeting also marked the first reading of several proposed ordinances aimed at allowing voters to weigh in on potential amendments to the city’s charter. These amendments would define the oversight responsibilities of the Hannibal Board of Public Works, which manages utilities such as electric, water, sewer, and stormwater throughout the city.
Mayor Louderman emphasized the importance of letting voters decide on the level of oversight they want over the Board of Public Works. He requested the council to allow these matters to be placed on the ballot for the upcoming municipal elections. "So what I’m asking you tonight is to do what I feel our job is: to put this in front of the public and let them vote," suggested Louderman.
If the amendments are approved for ballot placement, constituents will have the opportunity to vote on several proposals during the next municipal election scheduled for April 8. These include requiring the Board of Public Works to provide advance notice to the council about employee salary increases, proposed budgets, and utility rate hikes.
Another significant proposal involves changing the number of council votes needed to remove members of the Board from five to four. This has raised concerns for 3rd Ward Council Member Robert Koehn, who expressed worries about making the process easier for removing board members, advocating for stricter criteria.
Despite these apprehensions, Louderman underscored the necessity of simplifying procedures related to the Board. He explained, "Right now, anything changed with the Board of Public Works is a charter change." This often leads to complex and lengthy processes, which can impede timely decision-making.
Alongside tackling these issues, the council also approved allowing Louderman to finalize a leasing agreement for office space at the Hannibal Regional Airport for U.S. Congressman Sam Graves for a nominal fee, ensuring the city continues to maintain its governmental relationships effectively.
With Welch’s departure and various governance matters on the agenda, Hannibal City Council’s decisions over the coming weeks will undoubtedly play significant roles within the community. The selection of the new council member and proposed charter amendments are both pivotal events, shaping the city’s governance framework and reflecting constituents' desires.
While Welch’s absence will be felt, his decision opens up new opportunities for community participation and engagement as residents look to play active roles within their city government.
The council’s forthcoming decisions will be under public scrutiny, ensuring democracy and transparency remain at the forefront of the city’s governance.