BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Thursday, January 30, 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 30, 2025.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order 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
Moved by Zerkle, supported by Gladding, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by roll call vote: yes – all.
•Brent Noskey, Belding Area Schools Superintendent, spoke on behalf of candidate Keven Krieger.
•Jenny Bennett addressed the Council regarding the qualifications for City Manager.
•Mike McCarty spoke on behalf of Keven Krieger.
A. Candidate Reggie Davis was asked ten questions about his qualifications, skill set and how he would handle specific situations. Councilmembers were each given an opportunity to ask any follow up questions. Mr. Davis made a closing statement and finished his interview at 6:45 p.m.
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess and reconvened at 7:00 p.m.
B. Candidate Mark Timmer was asked ten questions about his qualifications, skill set and how he would handle specific situations. Councilmembers were given an opportunity to ask any follow up questions. Mr. Timmer made a closing statement and finished his interview at 7:20 p.m.
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess at 7:20 p.m. and reconvened at 7:35 p.m.
C. Candidate Keven Krieger was asked ten questions about his qualifications, skill set and how he would handle specific situations. Councilmembers were each given an opportunity to ask any follow up questions. Mr. Kreiger made a closing statement and finished his interview at 8:07 p.m.
Mayor Leary called for a brief recess at 8:07 p.m. and reconvened at 8:24 p.m.
Each Councilmember was asked to list one pro and one con for each candidate and state the name of their top candidate:
Councilmember Curtis: Timmer
Councilmember Zerkle: Krieger
Councilmember Gladding: Timmer
Councilmember Steele: Krieger
Mayor Leary: Krieger
Moved by Zerkle, supported by Steele, to extend a conditional offer of employment to Keven Krieger and direct the MML to complete a background investigation and conduct further reference review. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Moved by Steele, supported by Zerkle, to authorize a committee of the following three members: City Attorney, Mayor Leary and Councilmember Zerkle to initiate discussions with Keven Krieger on terms of a mutually acceptable employment agreement. Such contract will be presented to the entire City Council for approval prior to signature and execution. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
•Reggie Davis thanked the Council for their consideration.
•Ken Meyers discussed a Facebook post.
•Tonda Rich apologized to the Mayor for the error on the agenda.
•Keven Krieger thanked the Council.
All councilmembers thanked the candidates and congratulated Keven Krieger.
Moved by Zerkle, supported by Steele, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes – all.
Mayor Jeannine Leary Deputy City Clerk, Tonda Rich