REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Belding City Council of the City of Belding was convened in open and public session at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street.
Mayor Jeannine Leary called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led with an Invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was recorded by Deputy Clerk Carlson. In addition to Mayor Leary,
Members Present were Bonita Steele, Shelley Gladding, Nikolai Zerkle and Linda Curtis.
Members Absent: None.
MOTION by Gladding was SECONDED by Steele to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed upon roll call vote.
No comments were provided by public in attendance.
MOTION by Gladding was SECONDED by Steele to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 84345 to 84408 totaling $676,907.93 and approve ACH payments
B. Approve November 4, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
The motion passed upon roll call vote.
Gladding reported that Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, November 25.
Steele reported that the Recreation Board meeting was cancelled. From the Library Board meeting, she shared that preparations for the December 1st Candlelight Reception are underway, Ron Gunderson has retired from the library board after many years of service, and revenue from the book sale exceeded $2,000.
Zerkle had no meetings.
Curtis reported that the Belding Housing Commission will meet Thursday, November 20 and a report will be provided at the next council meeting.
Leary was unable to attend the Museum board meeting. The next meeting will be held November 25.
There was no unfinished business.
A. MOTION by Gladding was SECONDED by Steele to adopt Resolution No. 2025-11-27, approving the Grant Agreement between the City of Belding and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for Central Riverside Park improvements. The motion passed upon roll call vote. (A copy of the grant agreement is on file in the Clerk’s office.) The Resolution adopting the agreement is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
GRANT AGREEMENT (TF24-0211) FOR CENTRAL RIVERSIDE PARK IMPROVEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF BELDING AND MICHIGAN DEPARTMENTOF NATURAL RESOURCES
"RESOLVED, that the City of Belding, Michigan, does hereby accept the terms of the Agreement as received from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and that the City of Belding does hereby specifically agree, but not by way of limitation, as follows:
1. To appropriate all funds necessary to complete the project during the project period and to provide A HUNDRED, THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED ($133,200.00) dollars to match the grant authorized by the DEPARTMENT.
2. To maintain satisfactory financial accounts, documents, and records to make them available to the DEPARTMENT for auditing at reasonable times.
3. To construct the project and provide such funds, services, and materials as may be necessary to satisfy the terms of said Agreement.
4. To regulate the use of the facility constructed and reserved under this Agreement to assure the use thereof by the public on equal and reasonable terms.
5. To comply with any and all terms of said Agreement including all terms not specifically set forth in the foregoing portions of this Resolution."
B. Discuss City Manager Position
Mayor Leary opened discussion with options presented by The Pivot Group, outlining steps to move forward in the hiring process after the individual selected for the manager’s position accepted another offer. Options included:
· selecting the individual that was council’s second choice
· revisiting the candidate pool presented by The Pivot Group
· reposting the position and starting a new search
Council members each shared thoughts and concerns about these options. Discussion surrounded whether to continue utilizing The Pivot Group, begin a new search with MML or use some other process. Considerations included any potential cost to work with MML versus continuing with The Pivot Group. Members recognized the need to hire as soon as possible but expressed hesitation in rushing to a decision. Consensus of members was the need to start over with the process and the importance of meeting the needs of the city and the staff and that
hiring an Interim Manager may be necessary. Providing relief for Finance Director and current Interim Manager, Becky Schlienz, would also allow time to search, interview, consider and hire a new City Manager. Council members Zerkle and Steele shared information they were seeking regarding a request made to MML for cost considerations and the availability of a potential Interim Manager candidate pool. Interim Manager Schlienz was asked to provide information to members for review, outlining contract terms with prior Interim Managers to use as a guide for commitments the city would need to make in hiring for this position.
MOTION made by Gladding was SECONDED by Zerkle to TABLE further
discussion and delay any decision making until Monday, November 24, 2025 after proper posting for a Special Meeting, allowing time to:
· gather information on any cost associated with utilizing MML as a resource
· consider whether to continue working with The Pivot Group
· ascertain whether a pool of candidates for Interim Managers is available to select for interviewing, and
· determine if a flexible timeframe for onboarding and retaining an Interim Manager is an option
The motion to Table passed upon roll call vote. An amended MOTION by
Gladding was SECONDED by Zerkle to establish the meeting time for 6:00 p.m.
Amendment to the motion passed upon roll call vote.
Jim Mason, 210 S. Broas St. expressed appreciation to the DPW for patching the street at Taft Court, passed invitations to the library’s December 1st Candlelight Reception to council members and staff in attendance, and shared that many baskets have been donated for the auction to be held during the reception and an anonymous donor made a large monetary contribution to the Friends of the Library.
Bob Brown, 759 Jay St. shared thoughts on hiring a city manager, asking council members if consideration has been given to offering more compensation or extended contract terms to attract quality people who will remain with the city.
Steele expressed that the decision making in hiring a new city manager is not easy, is stressful, and requires multiple extra meetings.
Curtis welcomed new Dial-A-Ride Director Kristine Mangus. She also stated that council wants to make the right decision when choosing a city manager and was happy to hear the library is doing great.
Zerkle shared thoughts about the challenge of hiring a manager and added that it is important not to rush a decision, and to have good options without being pushed by any firm working on the city’s behalf. He added that it is difficult to determine why managers do not remain in positions for extended periods but leaving for family considerations is understandable. Final comments were to congratulate the group that hosted the Verteran’s Day celebration, adding that it was a very good event.
Gladding welcomed Kristine Mangus to the city staff. Concerns were expressed about cost involved in trying to hire a manager and all want to be good stewards of city finances. She added that she is hoping for a good pool of candidates to choose from for an Interim Manager.
Leary thanked everyone for coming to the meeting, stating the community input is important for council consideration in decision making. Kristine Mangus was welcomed, the Friends of the Library were congratulated, and DPW was thanked for the fabulous work with leaf pickup.
There being no further business, MOTION by Gladding was SECONDED by Steele to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed upon roll call vote and the meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by: Accepted by:
________________________________ ______________________________
Sharon L. Carlson, Deputy Clerk Jeannine Leary, Mayor