Although the first discussion/action item for the Alba City Council meeting Monday was to appoint Paul Kelbe as mayor for the remainder of the vacant 2024-25 term, city council members (except alderman Tammy Kelbe) voted not to appoint Kelbe as mayor until his term begins in May.

The retiring public works director, Paul Kelbe is the only candidate who filed for mayor in the May election, and is to be sworn in on May 12.

Mayor Pro Tem Robert Kraemer has been filling the position since Mayor Don Heinert resigned late last year.

The council also heard citizens comments from now-resigned city employee Jake Riley, who presented the council with a speech declaring that he left his position in the public works department because of alleged “harassment issues” from city council member Tammy Kirkpatrick.

The council approved a six-month variance for Alba citizen Zella Littlejohn, who asked the council for permission to live in an RV on her property until demolition can be completed on her damaged home. The home had a tree fall on it in March.

They also voted to remove two former city elected officials, Preston Hass and Marja Heinert, from the bank signatory list, and to add two other city officials, assistant city secretary Jenna Trussell and Paul Kelbe. They passed an ordinance discussed in March regarding the powers and duties of the mayor, which city attorney Leigh Thompson has since clarified and rewritten to be in agreement with past ordinances. They also voted to post a job vacancy in the public works department.

They moved the regular city council meeting date for next month, from May 5 to May 12, to reflect a special meeting they will also have that day for swearing in the mayor and council members.

Council members voted to table a discussion regarding GPS trackers on city vehicles and a discussion on an updated manufactured housing ordinance.