FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- City Councilman John Hinkel announced Monday night will be his last meeting as Ward 4 representative. He's vacating his seat to spend more time with his family.

"It was a rough year personally," said Hinkel, 43, who has been a Fairview Park City Council member since 2009. "My father passed away, my mom is in assisted living now and I have a special needs son who is about to hit high school.

"I just need to focus more on that. That was really the main drive. I've been telling people I'm not mad about anything, I've just kind of run out of gas."

Since making his announcement last week, Hinkel said he's received a lot of positive feedback from residents appreciating his time in office.

"They generally had nice things to say," Hinkel said. "It made me feel good knowing that I made an impact. I hope people remember me as someone who always put the city first and who gave it an honest effort. That I didn't get into partisan agendas. I just wanted to help my neighbors and focus on the city."

Hinkel's resignation is effective Nov. 6, which means City Council has 30 days to fill the seat otherwise that responsibility falls to Fairview Park Mayor Eileen Ann Patton. The Ward 4 seat term runs through the end of 2019.

Patton said the news of Hinkel's resignation was a surprise.

"We'll sure miss John, he's a great guy," Patton said. "It's been a pleasure working with him. John was appointed in 2009 and then ran for the seat later that year. We worked very well together. I didn't expect his (resignation) letter."

Hinkel's announcement marks the second Fairview Park City Council representative to resign this year. In June, longtime Councilwoman Peggy Cleary vacated her seat due to a move into Westlake. In August, Dr. Todd Smith was appointed to the vacant Council-at-Large seat.

Ward 4 residents interested in the vacant seat can submit an application with a Nov. 9 deadline. Interviews are expected to take place in the next couple of weeks.

"We have such wonderful, engaged residents, especially of late," Patton said. "Some joined the Charter Review Committee. Also, when we have opening on Planning and Design or Board of Zoning, there are always interested folks.

"It's really very refreshing to welcome them in here to be part of the government. I'm hoping we get a lot of applications for City Council to review. It's only for a year and a month with the filing deadline (for next year's election) in June."

Regarding the possibility of returning to City Council in the future, Hinkel is open minded.

"I can't rule out that maybe sometime later in life I might come back to it," Hinkel said. "I like helping people. I like being a part of the overall city team, so who knows what the future holds."