Topic on council agenda tonight – Sept. 16
By Barb Pert Templeton
An unexpected item on the Algonac City Council’s Tuesday, Sept. 16 meeting agenda states officials are expected “to Accept the City Manager Notice of Retirement.”
The item likely comes as a surprise to residents of the city who recently heard the council discussing plans to conduct an employment review for City Manager Denice Gerstenberg. In turn they did just that in a closed session of the council on Aug. 19, the first review conducted with the city manager since 2021.
When contacted via email in August about the city manager’s employment status with the city Mayor Rocky Gillis said she “serves under an open-ended employment contract, meaning there is no set expiration date; it remains in effect unless terminated by either the city or Gerstenberg.”
Now it appears documents in the Sept. 16 meeting packet submitted by Gerstenberg do just that as she presented her retirement notice.
Gerstenberg summarized the agenda item and noted that her notice of retirement is effective on Nov. 27, 20225. It also stated that per city ordinance Sec. 5.4, resignation of appointed officers shall be made in writing to the appointing body and shall be acted upon immediately.
Also, per the city manager’s contract a 45-day notice is required but, in this case, Gerstenberg has provided a 72-day notice.
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis.
City Ordinance Sec. 4.8 states the council shall appoint a city manager within ninety days after any vacancy exists in the position
The city manager’s current annual salary is $89,055.
When Gillis was contacted via email on Monday, Sept. 15 about the surprise agenda item noting the city manager’s resignation he confirmed Gerstenberg had announced her retirement.
“She has been considering this decision for the last year, especially since her husband retired, and together they want to enjoy this next part of life,” Gillis said. “Being a city manager is truly a 24/7 job, and she has done it fantastically. On behalf of the city, I want to recognize her many years of service and leadership to Algonac. We are grateful for her dedication and the countless contributions she has made during her career here.”
Gerstenberg’s own official letter of resignation to the mayor and city council in the current meeting packet noted that she made the decision to resign with a mixture of gratitude and regret along with her notice of retirement.
“This decision was not an easy one-but after over 34 years of government service, it’s time to retire, spend time with family ad pursue other interests,” Gerstenberg wrote
She continued, stating that serving the city and working alongside such dedication staff members had been both a privilege and a rewarding experience.
“Together, we have made significant strides toward improving our community and I am proud of the progress we have achieved,” Gerstenberg wrote. “I am grateful for the support and trust that the city council and the residents of Algonac have placed in me during my tenure.”
The Algonac City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m.
The council meets in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 6917 St. Clair River Drive in Algonac, Michigan
