Jeffrey Wood graduated from Marine City High, worked in Mount Clemens
By Barb Pert Templeton
The ever-changing face in the city manager’s office in Marine City continues as officials approved a 90-day interim contract for the post with Jeffrey Wood at an Aug. 6 meeting.
City Attorney Robert Davis said they followed the interim contract arrangements they’ve used previously to offer the contract to Wood.
Stepping to the podium Wood thanked the attorney for preparing the contract and said he definitely agrees with the arrangement.
“Definitely good to go and I’m looking forward to it,” Wood said.
“I’d say it was one of the simplest contracts I’ve ever seen,” Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick commented.
“Mr. Wood encouraged basic wording,” Davis joked.
Commissioner Sean O’Brien asked what will happen with wage and benefit negotiations should the contract go from interim to a regular contract offer, is the interim contract considered precedent? Davis replied no.
Marine City’s new interim City Manager Jeffrey Wood addressed the commission at an Aug. 6 meeting.
The contract for Wood notes compensation is to be $65 per hour for 40 hours each week for 90 days without benefits.
“Madame Mayor I’d like to thank you for the opportunity,” Wood said. “It means a lot to me to be here, part of this community. Many friends and family that still live here. I look forward to working with all of you, the staff and the residents of the community to keep everything moving forward here. Thank you.”
As previously reported, Wood is a former director of public services for the City of Mount Clemens where he was also the assistant city manager and the DPW director.
When Marine City Manager Michael Reaves resigned from the post in May after just 18 months, part-time special project administrator Scott Adkins returned to the manager’s office under a 90-day interim contract but then announced his departure after just 60 days.
Since everything had happened so quickly the city manager search committee decided they’d like to offer one candidate an interim contract of 90 days and then if it works out. they’d offer a full city manager contract.
Adkins previously explained that the position was posted on the Michigan Municipal League website for about six weeks and the city received 13 qualified applicants. Those were trimmed down to about five candidates with the correct level of experience.
“It means a lot to me to be here, part of this community. Many friends and family that still live here. I look forward to working with all of you, the staff and the residents of the community to keep everything moving forward here. Thank you.”
New Marine City Interim Manager Jeffrey Wood.
“After reading through them all he was at the top, especially with his underground and DPW experience also, all the stuff that he’s done there, we’re in desperate need for that too,” Hendrick said at a commission meeting in July.
At that time Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche also noted Wood’s budgeting and finance experience including writing grants for projects.
The contract with Jeffrery Wood:
Sections I and II: The contract with Wood is an At Will Interim City Manager Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) to perform the functions and duties as specified in Section 3.9 of the City Charter Employee agrees, pledges and promises to keep the City Commission timely advised on all matters.
Section III: Term The Employee will serve under this Agreement for a period of ninety (90) days the employee shall have no expectation of any defined employment term or employment duration other than the term set forth herein and agrees that this employment relationship is at will under this Agreement for all legal purposes.
Section IV: Compensation The Employee agrees and acknowledges that the City will compensate the Employee at the rate of sixty- five dollars ($65.00) per hour for the expected hours of forty (40) hours per week during the 90-day interim term.
Section V: General Benefits the Employee shall not be entitled to any City offered benefits and the Employee hereby expressly waives the right to any such benefits during the interim term of ninety (90) days, except for those required by law. The Employee shall be covered by the City General Liability Policies of Insurance and the existing Worker’s Compensation Policy of Insurance. The Employee is responsible for motor vehicle insurance.
Section VI: Termination – The City and the Employee may terminate this Agreement for any reason by providing a written notice to the other party 14 days in advance of the termination date. This Agreement shall be and is an at will Agreement for all purposes under Michigan law.
Section VII: Sixty (60) Day Review City agrees that it will initiate and undertake a performance review of Employee at or near the sixty (60) day mark of this ninety (90) day interim term.
