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| Pat Sullivan |
Following a special meeting Oct. 25, council members opted to recruit am interim city manager to fill the position until a permanent successor to Sullivan could be found. Sullivan will retire on Jan. 6, 2023.
During the public comment section of the agenda during the special meeting, former council woman Nancy Darga recalled that she was on the council when Sullivan was hired 16 years ago. She reminded council members that there are time-sensitive challenges in the city including pending grants and matters that must continue to advance during the leadership transition
Varga suggested that council ensure assistance to ensure projects remain within the allotted timeframes.
Resident Susan Hafleigh suggested that the council adopt a three-tiered approach to filling the position. She suggested hiring an interim manager while seeking a long-term manager but bring in services to help make the transition into the new year. She told the council that she recognized the third tier would be an added expense but said she was in favor of relieving any pressure on the transitional team to find a long-term replacement.
Councilmembers opted to focus on hiring an interim city manager, with a subcommittee of councilmembers Marilyn Price and Andrew Krenz working with the city manager to obtain a list of qualified candidates from the Michigan Municipal League and other sources. A subcommittee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Moroski-Browne and Councilman John Carter will work with the city manager to develop a recommendation for a search firm.
Progress updates on these action items will be presented to the full council at the Nov. 7 meeting when progress finding an interim manager will be reported and at the Nov. 21 meeting when hiring of a recruitment firm will be on the agenda.
