Hartley council to appoint new member

In an effort to save money and time, the Hartley City Council will appoint a new member to fill the vacancy left by Nick Galm.

First elected in 2021, Galm resigned his seat last month to become Hartley's superintendent of public works. His term expires at the end of 2025.

The council on Monday had the option to appoint a new member or call for a special election, which would be held in March. Since the election will cost around $3,000 and take longer, the council opted to appoint Galm's replacement at its next regular meeting on Feb. 10.

"It would be different if it was a three-year term period, but it's 10 months," said Council Member Mary Westphalen.

The only expense to the city will be publishing costs for the official public notice detailing the vacancy and intent to appoint.

"Save the money," said Council Member Ron Hengeveld.

All persons interested in being appointed to the council vacancy should submit a statement of interest via mail or personal delivery to City Hall by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. Standard forms are available at the city office.

All interested persons are also requested to attend the council's regular meeting on Feb. 10, when members will vote on the appointment.

Residents have the right to file a petition requiring that the vacancy be filled by special election within 14 days of the appointment. According to state code, "any petition will need at least the number of signatures equal to 15 percent of the voters who voted for candidates for the office at the preceding regular election at which the office was on the ballot." As of press deadline, the number of necessary signatures was still being determined by officials at the O'Brien County Auditor's Office.

If a petition requesting a special election is filed within 14 days after the appointment, the appointment is temporary and the city council will be required to call a special election.

Galm's replacement will be the second council appointment in two years. Swanson, who served nearly two full terms on the council, resigned her seat in May of 2023 to take the city administrator post. The council in July of 2023 appointed Greg Cotter to fill the vacancy.

The council went with Cotter because he placed fourth in a field of five candidates vying for three city council seats back in the 2021 general election. Others who applied to fill Swanson's vacancy were Matt Dolphin and former Council Member Brian Myers, who placed fifth in the 2021 election.

Both Dolphin and Cotter won full terms on the council in the 2023 general election. Kenny Embrey was the odd man out in that three-person race for two open seats.