Christian Zavinski has tendered a letter of resignation for his seat on the Warren City Council.

Mayor Maurice Cashman told the Times Observer on Wednesday that the letter would be accepted at council’s next meeting later this month. Conewango Township police charged Zavinski, 29, with driving under the influence for an incident that occurred April 17.

Cashman said 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.”

Both DUI charges brought against Zavinski are graded as misdemeanors and categorized as second-offense DUIs.

Executive Secretary Teena Leary said the city won’t start the procedure for accepting applications to fill the vacancy until the resignation letter is formally accepted “This one will be a little bit different,” she explained.

Because Zavinski served less than 18 months on the Warren City Council, someone will be appointed to serve in the seat until after the November general election.

Cashman said the county Republican and Decmcratic committees will be able to appoint a candidate to appear on the ballot this fall.