Bessemer city manager resigns after pressure from council

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

Bessemer — After slightly more than four months on the job, Bessemer City Manager Christopher Frazer has resigned.

Clerk/Treasurer Mandy Lake confirmed by phone on Monday that Frazer had submitted a letter of resignation on March 15.

The action followed a March 13 special meeting, which consisted mainly of a closed session that included all council members, along with Frazer, Lake and City Attorney Ray O’Dea.

After the closed session, the council voted to provide Frazer with the option of resigning within 48 hours or being fired.

In a separate motion, the council also voted to issue paid leave to Frazer for the two-day period.

Councilman Adam Zak made both motions, which were supported by councilman Mark Serwe. Also voting aye on both motions was councilwoman Linda Nelson.

Voting against both motions were Mayor Peter Tacconelli and councilman Mark Movrich.

Zak told Frazer that, no matter what decision he made, the city would pay him wages for 30 days beyond the two-day paid leave.

During the public comment session, The Globe asked whether any council member could provide an explanation.

“We can’t,” said Movrich, referring to the fact that the discussion leading up to the vote occurred in a closed session.

“I just don’t believe that Chris is the best fit for our city,” said Zak. “He may fit in somewhere else. I just don’t believe it’s here.”

The meeting resulted in two of three of the council’s newest members voting against both motions.

Tacconelli, Movrich and Serwe were newly elected to the council on Nov. 7 of last year. As of Nov. 13, Tacconelli became mayor and Movrich became mayor pro tempore. Nelson and Zak each have been on the council for several years.

After the meeting, Zak and Lake supervised as Frazer cleared his office.

The council hired Frazer last year in a unanimous vote on Oct. 30, when Terry Kryshak and Robert Coleman were still on the council. Frazer then started on Nov. 6.

More than 30 candidates had applied for the job, and Frazer was the council’s second choice. The job had been offered to the council’s first choice, but that person opted not to accept due to changing circumstances in his own household.

Originally from Detroit, Frazer has bachelor’s and master’s degrees — with a focus on administration — from Central Michigan University. At the time he was hired, he had a few years of experience assisting a city manager in North Carolina and engaging in municipal and nonprofit work in Michigan.

On Jan. 22, during an open meeting, the council had suggested managerial training for Frazer. Former Councilman Terry Kryshak then volunteered to work informally with Frazer.

As of last summer, the city has undergone a complete turnover in relation to all major positions. However, transitions relating to the city manager began on Nov. 10, 2022, when then Clerk/Treasurer Jennifer Adams added the responsibilities of interim city manager after former City Manager Charly Loper served her final day after six years on the job.

Adams worked her first day as the officially appointed city manager on Jan. 3, 2023, and left on Sept. 22. Frazer started on Nov. 6.

The City Council had scheduled another special meeting for Monday but cancelled it due to lack of a quorum.

Members will meet again at their next regular meeting on March 25 at 6 p.m.