City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 13, 2021 A special meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 6:00 pm in the Ramsdell Theatre, 101 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: David Bachman, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Jermaine Sullivan, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and Finance Director – Ed Bradford (arrived after roll call) CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None. INTERVIEWS FOR THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER. Michigan Municipal League Search Facilitator Glenn Anderson was present to review question technique and process for city manager candidate interviews. Interview Schedule: 6:00 p.m. – Gregory M. Elliott 7:15 p.m. – William N. Gambill CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT TO SUCCESSFUL CITY MANAGER CANDIDATE. Once all interviews have taken place, it is expected the Council will engage in public discussion with the goal to select one of the candidates for conditional offer of employment. Before the final stage of the hiring process can be executed a motion should be offered to extend a conditional offer to the candidate who secures the majority of support from Council members. The offer is conditional to allow other due diligence steps to occur and to enable withdrawal of the offer depending on the results of that research. The due diligence steps include a background investigation, a physical, drug screening, and additional reference checks. The Michigan Municipal League will conduct a background investigation through a third- party professional firm. The investigation will include college transcript verification; criminal history, civil court case history; lien and driving record check, credit/financial record review and social security number trace. Because of the invasiveness of the background check and medical screens, only the top candidate moves through this phase. MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski to make a conditional offer of employment to Gregory M. Elliott and direct the MML to complete a background investigation. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-3. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 13, 2021 AYES: Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: Bachman, Zielinski, and Martin Pontiac MOTION by Beaton second by Grabowski to authorize the City Manager to initiate discussions with Gregory M. Elliott on terms of a mutually acceptable employment agreement. Such agreement will be presented to the City Council for approval prior to execution. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-3. AYES: Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: Bachman, Zielinski, and Martin Pontiac CITIZEN COMMENT None. OFFICIALS AND STAFF None. COUNCILMEMBERS Martin Pontiac expressed disappointment that Council was divided with their selection. Beaton noted that the process is not over but feels comfortable moving forward. Bachman stated he is a team player and if Mr. Elliott accepts the position, he will work with him to help make him successful. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm. Heather Pefley MiPMC/CMC City Clerk | Page 2