SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Thursday, January 15, 2025
6:00 p.m.
A 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 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2025.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Deputy City Clerk, Tonda Rich took the roll call:
Members present: Bonita Steele, Shelley Gladding, Nikolai Zerkle, Linda Curtis and Jeannine Leary
Moved by Zerkle, supported by Steele, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Zerkle, supported by Steele, to enter into Closed Session at 6:05 p.m. pursuant to Section 8(f) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act to consider employment applications for the Belding City Manager position. Motion carried by roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Zerkle, supported by Gladding, to adjourn Closed Session at 7:35 p.m. and return to regular session. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Gladding, supported by Steele, to direct the MML facilitator to contact applicants’ numbers 1, 5, 12, 17 and 22 to determine their interest in accepting an interview with the Belding City Council for the position of Belding City Manager. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
· Steele stated that the City needs to move forward.
· Gladding stated that City Council needs to make the best decision when hiring a new manager.
· Zerkle stated he is excited to get the ball rolling.
· Curtis thanked the Council for her appointment.
· Mayor Leary stated that the candidates looked well on paper and is hopeful that the candidates and their qualifications will be proven in person.
· Welcomed Councilmembers Zerkle and Curtis
· The City Attorney encourages a 2nd interview with potential candidates
· Believes that the department heads should be a part of or do their own interview with the potential candidates as well
Moved by Gladding, supported by Zerkle, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Motion carried by roll call vote, with Steele voting no.
Mayor Jeannine Leary Tonda Rich, Deputy City Clerk