Fifth Ward Councilman Lance Madsen confirmed this morning he plans to step down from the council after years of health problems.

Answering his phone from Stanford, where he was awaiting a medical procedure, Madsen said, "I have to keep coming down here — it's getting to the point where I'm missing committee meetings and council meetings. It's not fair to the other council members." Leaving the council will allow him to be more flexible for medical treatment as well, he said.

According to the Times-Standard, Madsen announced his resignation in a letter at last night's council meeting. The council is expected to decide at its Nov. 5 meeting whether to hold a special election or appoint a new council member.