Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By PAMELA JANSSON
Bessemer — The Bessemer City Council voted Tuesday evening to table action on appointing a new clerk/treasurer until a committee can negotiate related terms.
The vote also included the temporary designation of Mandy Lake as being responsible for that role in the interim.
Lake had been hired as the clerk/treasurer in the fall of 2023 and then also became the interim city manager earlier this year. Tuesday was her first day as the official city manager.
Councilwoman Linda Nelson referred to deputy clerk Samantha Zakovec as the apparent successor to Lake’s initial role.
“My understanding is that Samantha is ready to jump into the clerk/treasurer position, but she’s not quite ready, so she’s going to be relying on you,” said Nelson to Lake.
Nelson suggested creating a team to negotiate the terms of Zakovec’s likely transition to clerk/treasurer. Councilman Mark Serwe volunteered to work with her toward that end.
The council expects to take action on the clerk/treasurer position at the next council meeting.
In other news, council members also voted to approve financing for a new Caterpillar loader priced at $292,210. At the advice of Lake, they voted for a six-year financing plan that will allow what she termed as “wiggle room” in relation to potential savings from lower payments to be applied to debt and to future equipment purchases and/or repair.
Councilman Mark Movrich voted against that plan on the grounds that a shorter financing plan would be a better choice in relation to money saved in financing.
The council also accepted the resignation of Planning Commission member Judy Palmateer.
“I have enjoyed serving in the capacity to fill a former member’s term,” said Palmateer in a Nov. 7 letter to Lake.
But Palmateer added that she will be traveling a lot in the coming year and therefore would be unable to attend many meetings.
Mayor Peter Tacconelli said Palmateer has been an “asset” to the city and that he appreciated working with her in the short time he has led the council.
Nelson said Palmateer has done “so much work” for the city. She specifically cited Palmateer’s expertise in grant writing but added that she also has engaged in “so many things ... that we don’t even know.”
On behalf of city officials, Nelson offered Palmateer a “thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
The council also approved a state trunkline contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation.
With the exception of the CAT loader financing, all votes were unanimous with Councilman Adam Zak absent.
The council normally would have met on Monday evening but adjusted its scheduling due to Veterans Day.
The council’s next regular meeting will be on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. in the council chamber of Bessemer City Hall.
