SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
5:30 p.m.
A Special meeting of the Belding City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order and led with the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Ortego took the roll call:
Members present: Shelley Gladding, Bonita Steele, Nikolai Zerkle, Linda Curtis and Jeannine Leary
Members absent: None
Moved by Steele, seconded by Gladding to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
David Badder commented.
Bob Brown commented.
Rebecca Reinink commented.
Jeff Christiansen commented.
Mayor Leary opened up a discussion regarding the Interim City Manager position, further advising that Schlienz, although not a permanent solution, is willing to continue as the Interim City Manager. After a brief discussion it was moved by Zerkle and seconded by Curtis to suspend the search for an Interim City Manager and continue with Becky (Schlienz) as Acting City Manager. Gladding inquired with Schlienz if the Council needs to know anything before they vote. Steele asked about the status of the audit and property taxes (Schlienz’s regular responsibilities as Finance Director). Schlienz informed the council members that she is ok with staying on as the Interim City Manager, advising that the audit is done and that one of her staff members has taken over doing the taxes. Additionally, former City Manager Keven Krieger continues to stay on as the signatory for grants, most of which are coming to an end shortly, informing council that Fleis & Vandenbrink advised that it would be quite a process to change signatories at this point. The Clerk repeated the motion that was on the floor, and the motion was carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Jeff Christiansen commented that if the council passed a motion to hire Mr. Bell that they need to do a motion to rescind the offer.
Ashleigh Draft from Varnum was present and advised council to rescind the prior direction that was given at the last meeting, to pursue a candidate. Zerkle noted that communication with the candidate is still needed.
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Steele to rescind the prior direction that was given at the last meeting, to pursue a candidate, and to communicate with said candidate that the offer is rescinded. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
Bob Brown commented.
Rebecca Reiniknk commented.
Jenny Bennett commented.
Sam Mason commented.
Clinton Hewartson commented.
Mike Tefft commented.
Mike McCarty commented.
Zerkle gave closing comments.
Gladding gave closing comments.
Curtis gave closing comments.
Steele gave closing comments.
Mayor Leary gave closing comments.
Moved by Steele, seconded by Zerkle to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – all.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Janae Ortego, MiPMC
City Clerk