The Sumner City Council has called a special meeting for 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall for the purpose of discussing, meeting and potentially selecting the next member of the city council.

The council’s regular study session has been canceled.

The seat became vacant March 21 when the council voted 4-1 not to excuse the leave of absence requested by former councilmember Matt Richardson. Richardson on Feb. 26 notified City Administrator Diane Supler that he was taking a six-week leave of absence for unspecified personal reasons.

Under state law, a councilmember’s seat becomes vacant if the elected official is absent for three consecutive meetings without being excused.

Absences are usually excused by the mayor but the council took the unusual step of voting to not excuse the absences because of the lack of explanation, Councilmember Leroy Goff said in March. Only Councilmember Randy Hynek voted against the motion. Councilmember Curt Brown was excused absent from the March 21 meeting.

Goff said Friday the city received at least four applicants for the position.

Sumner city councilmembers are paid $750 per month.

The council is expected to vote on the newest member during the April 18 regular meeting.