Bessemer council votes Whitburn in as mayor

By TOM STANKARD

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Bessemer — Kathy Whitburn was selected by the city council as Bessemer's mayor Monday evening.

Prior to Whitburn's selection, Clerk Jim Trudgeon swore in the new council — Whitburn, John Frello, Linda Nelson, Rob Coleman and Al Gaiss — elected Nov. 3.

Gaiss nominated Whitburn to be mayor. Without hesitation, the council approved and Whitburn accepted the gavel from Trudgeon then sat in mayor's seat.

“I am privileged and honored to serve as mayor for the city of Bessemer,” she said.

Moving forward with the agenda, Gaiss nominated Frello as mayor pro tempore for the city of Bessemer. In agreement, Coleman made a motion to elect Frello, and Gaiss supported his motion. The council voted unanimously in favor.

The council also discussed the need to hire a city attorney now that the contract with attorney, Michael Korpela has expired. The council agreed to seek bids for the service, and Korpela will stay in the position until a new contract is signed.

"It's been a number of years since we've put (the service) out for bids," Frello said.

After some discussion, the council approved to schedule meeting dates for the first and third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Whitburn said she will take charge of setting the agenda in the future. The council agreed that if someone wants something on the agenda, to notify her by 8 a.m, but that it would remain possible to add agenda items the night of a meeting.

“If you do choose to add something that evening, please be prepared to have that item tabled so we have time to gather appropriate documents and make an intelligent decision,” Whitburn said.

Whitburn said she wants to establish an email domain name to contact council members.

“I think it's critical,” she said. “I really want to see a professionally run body. I think that's the beginning.”

Like in the past, the council adopted “Robert's Rules of Order,” with an amendment that the mayor may make and support motions for all city council meetings.

To enable the city to “move forward in a diplomatic manner,” Whitburn handed out a release explaining how to effectively communicate at city council meetings.” On the release, it says “it's not what you say, it's how you say it.”

“I think it shows what we're going to bring to the table,” Whitburn said.