Council Votes to Fill Vacant City Council Seat by Appointment

By Dani McCulley  

The Hudson City Council voted 3-0 Monday to fill a vacant City Council seat by appointment  following the resignation of Council member Marcus Bowman after he moved just outside the  Hudson city limits.  

During its July 27 meeting, the council voted to fill the vacancy by appointment, authorizing  Mayor Hector Baldiviezo to appoint a replacement. Council members Darryl Koch, Jeff Lawson  and Steven Kramer voted in favor of the motion.  

Mayor Baldiviezo informed the council during its July 13 meeting that Bowman had resigned  effective immediately. Although Bowman’s new home is located near Hudson, Iowa law  requires city council members to reside within the city limits, making him ineligible to continue  serving on the council. Bowman was elected to a four-year term in November 2025.  

Before taking action, council members discussed the options available for filling the vacancy.  Several members said appointing a replacement would avoid the time and expense of  conducting a special election. Council members also noted the vacancy must be filled within  60 days.  

“The cheapest thing to do is just make an appointment because otherwise a special election is  going to cost time and money,” one council member said during the discussion.  

Mayor Baldiviezo said a couple of residents had already reached out expressing interest in  serving on the council.  

The council also approved a resolution setting a public hearing regarding the proposed  appointment to fill the vacant City Council seat.  

Following the meeting, the city published a Notice of Intent to Fill Council Vacancy by  Appointment, stating the public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Hudson City  Hall.  

The notice states that, under Iowa law, electors of the City of Hudson have the right to file a  petition requesting the vacancy be filled through a special election rather than by appointment.  Any petition must be filed with the city clerk within the timeframe established by state law and  contain the required number of signatures.  

Residents interested in being considered for appointment to the vacant City Council seat  should submit a written request to the Hudson City Clerk’s Office by 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10.