Algonac’s search for a new city manager on track

Mayor gives an update on the process

By Barb Pert Templeton

There’s been lots happening in Algonac over the last few years including the opening of a brand-new million-dollar city pool and the refurbishing of a former elementary school into a community center.

Those developments have occurred under the direction of City Manager Denice Gerstenberg who handles the day-to-day operations of the city with regular guidance and approval from the mayor and city council.

When Gerstenberg announced her retirement in September, officials had to begin the process of finding her replacement.

In an email on Nov. 24 Mayor Rocky Gillis confirmed that the hiring process is on schedule and the city will be bringing forth finalists at a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

“We will be releasing information about the finalists, including how many there are, before the meeting in accordance with our commitment to transparency,” Gillis said.

The possibility that the city may consider former Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson for the job has been brought up at several Algonac City Council meetings by resident Eileen Tesch.

At the Nov. 18 meeting Tech shared her disproval, noting that the alleged “unlawful conduct of Artie Bryson” related to some grants for pickle ball courts and some playground equipment on Harsens Island, remain a strong concern.

“If it is your intent to hire Artie Bryson as the next Algonac city manager, which is what we hear and all-over social meeting, I recommend there be an out clause so the taxpayers don’t get stuck paying him a severance package,” Tesh said. “The last one we paid for with Doug Alexander (an Algonac City Clerk who resigned in 2017) cost the taxpayers over $175,000.”

When asked if he could confirm that Bryson applied for the post or was a candidate Gillis provided this response.

“Mr. Bryson has not made it a secret that he has applied. Beyond that, we will be releasing the full list of finalists publicly prior to the council interviews,” Gillis wrote in the recent email.

Here are his responses to additional questions:

Blue Water Healthy Living: What is the status in the search for a new city manager?

Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis: The hiring committee has completed its work and is forwarding a group of finalists to the city council for consideration.

BWHL: How many applicants did the city receive for the post?

Gillis: We received approximately 8–10 applications for the position.

BWHL: Have you conducted many interviews via Zoom yet?

Gillis: Yes, initial interviews have been conducted via Zoom as part of the screening process.

BWHL: Has the original candidate pool been narrowed down?

Gillis: Yes, the pool has been narrowed to the finalists being brought forward to the council.

BWHL: Is the original timeline for the process still in place and being followed?

Gillis: Yes, we remain on track and the original timeline is being followed.

BWHL: When might there be interviews at a council meeting?

Gillis: Finalist interviews with the city council are scheduled for the December 9th council meeting.

Gillis added, “if you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out. I’m committed to keeping the community informed throughout this important process.”

Recap of the process

The council outlined the hiring process for a new city manager in October. At that time Mayor Rocky Gillis read the 11-step process into the record. It included things like initial review of applications by the city clerk, candidate selections, preliminary interviews via ZOOM, public interviews before the city council and contract negotiations.

The candidate selections was to be conducted by the mayor, mayor pro tem, city clerk, fire chief and city treasurer. The group was to vet all qualified candidates and determine the candidates to be interviewed.

The paperwork provided in the city packet also noted that under Education and Experience the candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in a related field; master’s degree preferred plus a minimum of five years of progressively responsible municipal management or public sector leadership experience.