Lake named interim city manager in Bessemer

By P.J. GLISSON

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Bessemer - Members of the Bessemer City Council voted on Monday evening to appoint Clerk/Treasurer Mandy Lake to the role of interim city manager.

In separate votes, they also increased her salary to the equivalent of $5,000 per year and authorized her to prepare a job posting for city manager.

"Ms. Lake has pretty much stepped up to the task," said Councilman Adam Zak regarding Lake, who already was acting in the city manager's role from the start of the meeting.

Zak, who made the motion to appoint Lake to head the city, praised her "plethora of experience."

Although the votes were unanimous, with all council members present, they engaged in some lively debate.

"We don't want to overburden you," said Councilman Mark Movrich, who questioned whether running three city roles would not be too much.

"I'm not saying you're not capable," said Movrich to Lake.

But he added that he had spoken with Ray Anderson at the Michigan Municipal League, who told him that the league could provide an interim city manager.

Zak said he saw no point in spending money to hire someone from outside.

Mayor Peter Tacconelli also questioned Lake's increasing responsibilities.

"I think it's putting a little too much burden on our city treasurer," said Tacconelli, who asked whether she also will continue to work as the supervisor of Wakefield Township.

"You've got quite a bit of obligations between here and there," said the mayor.

While noting that the interim position is not permanent, Lake said she does intend to continue in the township role.

"If she doesn't have any concerns about it, I don't have any concerns with it," said Zak. "I think we were extremely lucky to retain Ms. Lake as an employee. She's shown nothing but a great deal of knowledge."

"Everybody seems very comfortable in moving forward," said councilwoman Linda Nelson, who said she has spoken with Lake, along with Deputy Clerk Samantha Dorr and Utility Clerk Lisa Selin, and added that she has confidence in all of them.

"They're working together as a team," said Nelson.

Councilman Mark Serwe supported Lake as well.

Council members also disagreed regarding the posting of the position.

"I would like to see this position not posted at this time," said Nelson, who noted that she'd like to see how the office staff handles their current, added responsibilities over the next few weeks.

"She may be interested in the position," said Zak after describing Lake as "a tremendous asset."

Movrich said he believed that the job should be posted as soon as possible, so as not to waste time. In the event that Lake wishes to manage the city full time, he asked whether she would be precluded from applying for the role.

Zak said no but also said he would like to get input from Lake herself.

Lake recommended that council members vote on a job description and salary range at their next regular meeting.

She said the city needs continued stabilization at this point after having just recently reached the point of filling all office roles - except the now empty city manager slot.

Lake said that, when she began her job in October 2023, she discovered tasks that were months behind, and - amidst dealing with distractions such as an annual audit and elections - she emphasized that it has been a challenge for everyone involved.

"All of us in the office are catching up on our duties," she said. "It was a little bit chaotic."

But she added, "We're finally there in terms of what we need to do every day."

As for the type of employee needed for city manager, Zak said, "We're looking for the skill set necessary in a community with many moving parts."

He added that he is much more determined to engage such a person long term after the departure of previous City Manager Christopher Frazer, whose last day was March 15.

Although Frazer's exit initially was described as a resignation, Tacconelli told The Globe on Monday, "He did not resign. He was fired."

The action happened as a seamless consequence of the council's March 11 vote to give Frazer 48 hours to resign or be terminated. Zak, Nelson and Serwe voted for that motion, and Tacconelli and Movrich voted against it. Zak said Frazer was not a good fit for the city.

"I was just going to let it lapse, but I decided to write a letter," said Frazer by phone on Tuesday.

"Ultimately, I chose not to resign," he added. "I simply stated in my letter to the council that I still felt I was a good fit for Bessemer."

Frazer said that the city's initial reporting of the letter as a resignation was a misunderstanding.

Regarding Lake, he said, "She initially thought I did resign until she took a second look at the letter."

As for what he will do now, Frazer said, "As of right now, I'm going to spend some time with my family for the Easter holiday."

He added that, at a later point, "I'm going to pursue other opportunities in city management. This is the career I chose to pursue."

Frazer said that he understands the inherent, possible instability that such roles involve.

"I always felt in my job as a city manager that every day was a blessing," he said.