(a) If a vacancy occurs in a governing body, the remaining members shall, within 30 days unless a different period is provided by ordinance, appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. If less than 30 days remain in a term, a vacancy may not be filled.
(b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, if the membership is reduced to fewer than the number required to constitute a quorum, the remaining members shall, within seven days, appoint a number of qualified persons to constitute a quorum.
(c) A person appointed under this section serves until the next regular election, when a successor shall be elected to serve the balance of the term.