Approval of Agenda

Council Member Scheid made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, supported by Council Member Cooper.

The question on the motion was called and the result of the voting is as follows:

            Ayes:               Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson.

            Nays:               None.

Public Comments

Katherine Henry, 806 Wildlife Trail, stated her husband wanted to share as he could not attend the meeting.  MML should absolutely not be the first and only place to look for the next interim or full time manager.  Mullendore’s had an easily discoverable and problematic work history, and she was recommended by MML.  Clearly they have no interest to disclose their member’s background to the hiring party, as Meg was a member of MML.  Therefore, their priority is not with the best interest of Belding in mind.  It is the responsibility of the council to do their own research.  They as a people will also do theirs so that mistake will not happen again.  It is the opinion of many in the community that they should have a Belding citizen manage their town.  He hopes they have many applicants from within this town.  The people of this town always have the best interest of Belding and its people in mind. 

Katherine Henry, 806 Wildlife Trail, stated she wanted to remind them that during at least a couple, if not several city council meetings, obviously not Mr. Cooper, as he was not on council, and Mr. Lallo, as well, but all the remaining members had commented, at least to a degree of frustration, if not more, with MML and the procedures they used, or did not use, when they were selected to help them in hiring in 2013.  On March 18, the minutes stated Council Member Jones stated that Dan Blunt had missed him as one of the people that had hired Meg.  Tom Jones was on the board when they hired Meg.  They hired MML to do the interviews, he thought they would do any police searches.  His understanding was that they did at that time, but it had come to light that they did not do the job he thought they were being paid for.  Mayor Gunderson stated MML hired another firm to do research on Mullendore and he had concerns about this.  Keep that in mind.  She understands Mr. Lallo and Mr. Cooper were not part of that original hiring process but she would ask them to keep in mind the comments, concerns and questions and those of the community in how MML goes about their recommendation process.  Ms. Mullendore was a member of MML.

Deb Curler, Belding, read a statement and thanked council for letting her speak tonight regarding what she needed to say.  For many years, starting in the early 2000’s she was passionately involved with the boards and committees. She constantly heard people grumble about the town since she moved here.  She thought if someone was not trying to do anything to help or solve what they were grumbling about, they did not have the right to grumble or badmouth what was going on in the city.  Her children, as they grew up and moved away, would always ask why she stayed in Belding?  Her answer was she loved the small town and family atmosphere and she wanted to show them what Belding was about.  She served on the boards and committees until late 2012 when her husband became terminally ill and had only a short time to live.  It was at this time that the town showed her children what she meant about the town being a family.  The support that was shown them from everyone in Belding was what got the family through the journey they were on and her children began to understand what she meant about Belding.  After her husband passed away in October, 2013, she moved out of the city limits and it was at this time that some events took place in the City of Belding that caused a lot of turmoil.  She was thankful that she did not live in town and could go to her little quiet place.  She pretended she did not care what was going on in Belding.  In the past year she has been very disheartened with Belding, its leaders, some of its citizens, and she wanted nothing to do with it.   The first issue, for lack of a better word, went through the process and was resolved.  Time to let it go and move on.  The second issue went through the process and was resolved.  Time to let go and move on.  She really does not know why she is here speaking tonight, and she tries to tell herself to let it go and not be involved, but her heart and soul is very heavy with what has taken place.  The name calling, the vindictiveness.  She is very pleased how those two issues have been resolved.  She feels it was the right thing on both that the results were what they were.  When she was on the Planning Commission there were things they voted on that would affect the citizens for the better or not.  She would vote for what she thought was right for all the citizens.  She was very irritated when a decision would affect her personally, that she was not fond of, but that was not why she was on the board.  She would ask them, or plead with them, if they are involved on the city council, that they vote for what is right for all the citizens.  Although they say this is what politics is, for your own agenda.  To the citizens she would say do not name call and personally attack, but work with these boards for the better of all.  Again, why does she care, she really does not know.  She would like to be proud and enjoy the town she calls home.  She has not been either in the last year.  What are their children learning from all of this?  They are not dumb.  They see and hear adults and their words and actions.  Are we showing them it is OK to be a bully and to name call?  If so, that is very sad.  Thank you all for letting the little old Curler lady say what has been on her heart.  She could sing the song Let It Go from Frozen to add some humor but that would be more torture.  They are here tonight to talk about finding a city manager that will be good for Belding.  She wishes them luck on the process. Do they use a company that helps them through the process or do they as a council try to hire someone on their own?  Please look at this carefully and weigh it carefully on what route they take.  If they can work together peacefully and save money, or for the betterment of Belding use an outside source.  She keeps them in her thoughts and prayers as they move on to find the right fit in the person to be the city manager, but please let it go and move on to a better Belding.

Gary Knowlton, 840 Morton, stated at the last meeting on the 20^th, Council Member Cooper made a motion to dismiss manager Mullendore while on medical leave.  It would have been better if she could have been here to answer any questions that were brought up, but that didn’t happen.  Council Member Cooper did not bother to place this item of business on the agenda.  That is rather disturbing to him, as well, as to why that was not done.  Council Member Cooper gave no public reason, no explanation, or no support for the motion for dismissal.  One of the positions Mr. Knowlton has locally here is on the Planning Commission.  They make recommendations to council.  Those decisions are based on zoning law, not personal preference, not emotional, they are black and white, and based on law and standards that are delineated in our law.  He stated he would think, as a citizen, he would expect the same degree of accountability for decisions made by this body.  Council Member Cooper has repeatedly questioned Manager Mullendore’s handling of city finances.  Although Council Member Cooper has questioned repeatedly her finances, it could be that motion and passing will perhaps be a very costly move for the city.  He thinks they deserve better. 

Joe Feuerstein, 901 W. State, stated a person read what went on with MML.  Five people had the opportunity to ask any question they wanted about anything when the manager was hired.  MML did a very good job, came in with a group from the State of Michigan and had them sorted down to five people.  That went down to two by these five people.  These five people brought her in.  She volunteered to answer any questions.  She answered Scheid’s questions, Ron’s questions, his questions and Jone’s questions.  They came to a decision for a vote.  They all voted in favor with no disagreement what so ever until Mr. Cooper was fired and the assassination of the manager’s character was brought up and continues to this moment.  He is in favor of MML looking, and especially not from this town.  No one in this town is qualified for it and that is it.  Thank you. 

New Business

Adjournment

Council Member Scheid moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Council Member Cooper. 

Ayes:               Council Members Cooper, Scheid, Lallo, Jones and Gunderson

            Nays:               None

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.