(KAIR)--The unexpected death of Atchison’s Vice-Mayor, and the steps needed to fill the vacancy, will be among the business of the Atchison City Commission Monday.

According to the agenda for the Commission meeting, the process for filling the seat left vacant by the January 23 death of Commissioner J. David Farris is the top matter of new business to come before the Commission today.

According to information included with the agenda, Farris was elected to a four-year term in December, 2019, and leaves “a lasting impression on the City of Atchison as an organization, and, more importantly, a lasting impression on generations of people in the Atchison community.”

In order to meet the timeline, laid out by the applicable city ordinance, “the City Commission will need to appoint someone to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Farris at the February 22, 2022 Commission meeting.”

City staff plans to advertise the position, starting Tuesday, with those interested being asked to submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk by 5 pm Wednesday, February 16. Those letters will then be compiled and included in the packet for consideration at the February 22 meeting.

The unexpired term runs through December 4, 2023.

Farris, who previously served as City Attorney and City Prosecutor for over 25 years, was laid to rest during services held January 31.

According to a release from the City, other matters of today’s meeting will include a number of items that are part of the equipment replacement plan, a discussion about ARPA funds guidance, and a review of upcoming grant opportunities, among other matters.

The meeting begins at 4:30 at Atchison City Hall.