Following Clerk Tom Emery administering the oath of office to sitting council members AI Jarvis, Therese Maupin-Moore, Don Bowers, Don Smith, Willard Redman and newcomer John Resseguie, the council got down to the business of doing the city’s business.
The council adopted Robert’s Rule of Order and named Bill Redman Mayor Pro-Tem. The calendar for regular meetings was set for the second and fourth Monday of each month with the Dec. 25 meeting moved to Tuesday, Dec. 26, because of Christmas.
Financial institutions for depositing city funds, the same as last year, were approved. Elected officials salaries also remain the same as last year; $7,800 for the mayor, $2,500 for mayor pro-tem, $2,300 for council members and $115 per meeting for Board of Review members.
Mayor David Tossava’s recommendations of Jeff Mansfield as city manager, Stephanie Fekkes from Varnum Attorneys at Law as city attorney and The Barry Eaton District Health Department as city health officer were approved for one year. Mansfield’s employment agreement calls for $92, 212 in base pay, $300 a month for travel expenses and the same health insurance as other city employees. Fekkes and Varnum at Law will be on retainer for $14,500 a year, with a $175 hourly fee.
Mansfield’s recommended appointments for one year were approved: Jeff Pratt, as deputy city manager/police chief/ and coordinator for emergency management and FOIA requests; Roger Caris as fire chief/fire marshal/ADA coordinator; Jackie Timmerman as city assessor; and Lee Hays as director of Department of Public Services. Mansfield will serve as zoning administrator and the Community Development director’s position is currently vacant.
Jennifer Venema, hired to replace retiring Tom Emery on Jan. 14, decided not to take the position after working for a few weeks with Emery on the transition. She told Mansfield she liked the people, but the job was just not a good fit for her and it was better to leave now, rather than later.
The council received the 2017-2018 budget calendar and set a budget workshop for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23.
Photo: Hastings City Council members read the oath of office, from left, Don Bowers, Therese Maupin-Moore, Al Jarvis, John Resseguie, Don Smith and Bill Redman.
