SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Saturday, January 25, 2025
9:00 a.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 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led with the Invocation and 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
Matt Stahlin voiced his support for candidate Keven Kreiger.
Moved by Steele, supported by Zerkle, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by roll call vote: yes – all.
A. Mayor Leary welcomed the public and explained that each candidate will be asked a series of questions. At the end of the question and answer section, Councilmembers will have the chance to ask any follow up questions and then the candidate will be given the opportunity to make a closing statement.
1. Candidate Keven Kreiger was asked a series of questions ranging from his management/leadership skills and experience to community involvement, city finances and grant funding. Candidate Kreiger finished at 9:55 a.m.
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess at 9:55 a.m. and reconvened at 10:08 a.m.
2. Candidate Jeff Thorton was asked a series of questions ranging from his management/leadership skills and experience to community involvement, city finances and grant funding. Candidate Thorton finished at 11:05 a.m.
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess at 11:05 a.m. and reconvened at 11:20 a.m.
3. Candidate Reggie Davis was asked a series of questions ranging from his management/leadership skills and experience to community involvement, city finances and grant funding. Candidate Davis finished at 12:16 p.m.
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess at 12:16 p.m. and reconvened at 12:23 p.m.
4. Candidate Adam Kline was asked a series of questions ranging from his management/leadership skills and experience to community involvement, city finances and grant funding. Candidate Kline finished at 12:58 p.m.
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess at 1:00 p.m. and reconvened at 1:10 p.m.
5. Candidate Mark Timmer was asked a series of questions ranging from his management/leadership skills and experience to community involvement, city finances and grant funding. Candidate Timmer finished at 1:55 p.m.
B. Mayor Leary stated that Council will vote for their top three candidates who will be extended an invitation for a second interview. Mayor Leary announced that the second interviews will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
The Deputy City Clerk passed out nominating ballots to each councilmember with the instructions to choose their top three candidates, sign their ballot and return their ballot to the Deputy Clerk.
The nominating ballots revealed the following votes, with candidates Kreiger, Davis and Timmer receiving the highest votes:
•Keven Kreiger received 4 votes
•Jeff Thorton received 2 votes
•Reggie Davis received 3 votes
•Adam Kline received 1 vote
•Mark Timmer received 4 votes
•Mike Tefft voiced his support for candidate Keven Krieger.
•Keven Krieger thanked the Council and Mike Tefft.
All councilmembers thanked the candidates and stated they understood what a difficult choice they had ahead of them.
Moved by Steele, supported by Gladding, to adjourn the meeting at 2:05 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Jeannine Leary, Mayor Tonda Rich, Deputy City Clerk