The Warren City Council has accepted the resignation of Christian Zavinski and has taken steps to establish a procedure to fill his vacant seat.

Solicitor Andrea Stapleford told the council on Monday that the home rule charter of the city requires that the vacancy be filled within 30 days.

She explained that because Zavinski served less than 18 months, the appointee will serve until council’s reorganizational meeting in January 2022 with the seat to be up for election in the general election this fall.

Mayor Maurice Cashman told the Times Observer earlier this month that Zavinski had tendered his letter of resignation.

Conewango Township police charged Zavinski, 29, with driving under the influence for an incident that occurred April 17. Cashman said at the time that the letter does not mention the pending charges; but when asked if the DUI is the cause of the resignation, he said, “I would say you’re within reason.”

The city’s home rule charter did not make Zavinski’s resignation a fait accompli when he was charged. A conviction, however, would have resulted in forfeiture of the office.

It states that an elected officer shall forfeit office “convicted of a crime more serious than a summary offense as defined by Pennsylvania law.”

If council doesn’t fill the vacancy within 30 days, it likely heads to the Court of Common Pleas, where a judge will make the appointment. That happened relatively recently when council deadlocked over a couple potential candidates.

Stapleford said past vacancies have been filled by asking applicants to file a letter of intent with the city and complete an application.

She recommended a special meeting for Monday, June 14, as the next regular meeting will fall outside of the 30 day window.

Stapleford said it’s unclear how candidates for this seat in the fall get on the ballot and said the city will rely on guidance from county elections staff.

The resignation was ultimately accepted and the June 14 special meeting day set.

Councilman John Wortman thanked Zavinski for his service and said some of the programs and policies he fought for will “have a long lasting impact on our city.”