In the public comment period, resident Tom Rotta criticized the council for paying Steckel retroactively, since prior to starting the work, she had agreed to the wages. Every year the Mason County Garden Club searches out local businesses that do an outstanding landscaping and civic beautification effort. Beachgoers dont realize the power of a 4- or 5-foot wave, meteorologist Mark Torregrossa explained in MLives documentary video The Deadliest Great Lake., Out on the ocean, you might have 6-foot waves, but theyre spread apart, Torregrossa said. DETROIT (AP) Lawyers who argued that a Michigan city violated the U.S. Constitution by chalking tires have successfully turned the case into a class action potentially affecting thousands of parking tickets. Click here to sign in or get access. In some instances, untrained bystanders risked and at times lost their lives in futile rescue attempts. Shay will begin his duties as deputy county administrator on July 23 and the position pays $123,468. Theyre really part of the first-responder culture, Sartini said. DuBois, PA (15801) Today. He also worked at city as interim city manager and Downtown Development Authority director in Portland. However, Kozal is currently using up paid time off and was sworn in Monday, Aug. 29, as the City of Muskegons director of public safety. The committee explores Mason County to choose the annual award winners, and this year its selected two businesses and one civic entity. The decision to place the PNC building for sale was made at the nonprofit organizations most recent board of directors meeting in late October, said Vic Burwell, president and co-founder of the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame. Foster said major projects include the completion of updates at the water treatment plant, the start of updates at the waste water treatment plants, the re-build of the west end of Ludington Avenue and the Copeyon Park splash pad. In January, Steckel was appointed to serve as the acting city manager until the new city manager, Mitch Foster, was hired and began work. The county collected resumes for about three to four weeks, then began interviewing candidates. LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) Sprawled like a gigantic swimming pool atop a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan is an asphalt-and-clay pond holding enough water to produce electricity for 1.6 million households. But the citizens have demanded them and the risks of not having them are too great. MCSO ACTIVITY REPORT FOR THE WEEKEND OF 05/18/2018 thru 05/20/2018: With election season looming, A Few Friends for the Environment of the World (AFFEW) and Bridge Magazine are joining forces to give Mason County residents a chance to have their voices heard by candidates vying for seats in November. Three reasons most often cited for the lack of Lake Michigan lifeguards are costs, liability and trouble recruiting. Because the city must amend its charter to reflect the change, the resolution also includes language for a ballot proposal that will be on the Aug. 7 primary ballot. He has served as Ludington city manager for 15 years. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In April, the position was vacated by Keith Van Beek, who. Shay has previously served as city manager in Ludington, village manager in Almont and has worked in local government for 25 years, according to a release from Wyoming. Ludington's form of government is council-manager, meaning the city manager, not the mayor, is the chief executive of the city, appointed by the council. One of the major issues this town faces is the need to update infrastructure, he said. At that meeting, the councilors went into closed session to review the top 10 out of 37 candidates under consultation of a representative of the Michigan Municipal League. Johns many successful years in municipal management will serve the county well.. The Ludington City Council will consider changing its charter to allow for the city manager to serve a term of three years at a time. I am looking forward to getting to know the residents and the community and learning more about how we can work together.. Ludington, MI - Official Website | Official Website Government Services Residents Visitors How Do I. Online Payments Notify Me COVID-19 Information Citizen Requests Weather Open Government Visit Downtown City Calendar Forms Ludington News Calendar of Events Tree Advisory Board Meeting Read on. The grant would be from the Michigan Natural Resources Recreation Passport program, and it must be submitted by April 1 to meet the deadline for the funds to be awarded in 2020. He received a masters degree in public administration along with a bachelors degree in political science and government from the University of Nevado-Reno. Several other residents and city officials spoke after Rotta, showing their support for Steckel and saying she has stated her work hours accurately. Related: Who can close the Lake Michigan piers? His parents, Dave and Jody Foster, owned Fosters Market. The city removed lifeguards about 15 years ago, after spending a year studying the safety, liability and logistics of keeping them, she said. DETROIT (AP) A Michigan city violated the U.S. Constitution by chalking tires to enforce parking limits, but it won't be forced to refund thousands of tickets in the class-action case, a judge said. The council approved paying Steckel the remaining 25 percent of the city manager wages $202 per week, or an estimated $1,414 total plus a car allowance for her seven weeks as acting city manager. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. This story is copyrighted 2019, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. She doesnt ask how many hours she has to work she just does it Whatever she said she did, she did it. Scottville City Commission will begin with a public hearing at 6 p.m. addressing the brownfield authority and then will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 N. Main St. in Scottville. It seemed like a calm day and Brusse was out on the water in a small boat when he noticed sirens and flashing lights on a bluff. No, they cannot be out in the water when red flag conditions persist, and by the time they are alerted and respond, it is too late, McGinnis said. When the lifeguards are called upon to help, were worried that theyre young enough that they dont understand the risk involved in risking their lives.. We all know what kind of worker Jackie is, said Planning Commissioner Kaye Holman. We are thrilled to have John Shay join the Ottawa County team, Ottawa County Administrator Al Vanderberg said in statement. According to a press release from Manistee County Sheriff John OHagen, the accident occurred on U.S. Two communities still have lifeguards on Lake Michigan Silver Beach in St. Joseph and New Buffalo Beach. At Silver Beach in St. Joseph, lifeguards make sure everyone is out of the water on red flag days, said Bailey, the Berrien County parks director. Fiscal responsibility, civic engagement, economic development and infrastructure were some of the issues discussed by primary candidates Tuesday evening during a public forum for primary candidates at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. City Hall Hours. City Council members have the authority and are responsible for passing municipal ordinances and budgets Qualifications City Council members must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18-years of age. Also on Monday, the council heard a presentation from Matt Biolette, Republic Services municipal services manager, about the rising costs of recycling. Republic is recommending changing the recycling container from an 18-gallon bin to a 96-gallon cart, which would cost recycling subscribers an annual rental fee of $15 per cart, in addition to the 2.7723 millage rate Ludington property owners already pay for solid waste services. The names of the candidates will remain confidential for the time being and will be published in the Daily News when they become available. The citys charter currently states the treasurer and clerk are to be elected. Some said later she was last seen clinging to a swim zone buoy, fighting the force of an underwater rip current, he said. He said park staff are trained to respond to water emergencies and to monitor lake conditions and post warnings at park entrances, including the use of warning flags. After the store closed, the family moved to Big Rapids, where he graduated from high school. Emergency call stations, information kiosks, social media posts, lifejackets and life rings are other safety measures Olson mentioned in an email to MLive. Entering into week three, he's learning many aspects of the community. On Lake Michigan, theyre pounding you one right after the other real close together.. City Council members can, as the entire council, hire the City Manager. Following Fridays closed session, with no discussion, the council took action to request interviews from its top three. Look closely. Im not saying that to pull at anybodys heartstrings Im just saying thats wrong. When asked if he thought lifeguards could reduce drownings at his citys beach, Grand Haven City Manager Pat McGinnis told MLive in an email he did not. The project will reconstruct the area to be more multiuse and better suited for pedestrians and for hosting events, said Heather Tykoski, City of Ludington community development director. The committees are personnel and finance, public safety and utilities, building and licenses, and cemetery, parks, recreation and waterfront. For example, they might move swimmers away from a hazardous rip current area. He estimates he has saved 200 people during the five years hes worked as a lifeguard. Shay oversaw day-to-day operations while serving as Ludington city manager with 65 full-time employees and 14 departments. Foster said there are several items he knows he will be facing in the near future. The council rescheduled its Committee of the Whole meeting to 6 p.m. April 15, instead of 5 p.m. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. But she didnt realize the full extent of the workload shed have to do for performing both her job as acting city manager and her regular duties, assisting the city manager and the mayor. The 2018 Ludington Gus Macker 3-on-3 Charity Basketball Tournament has extended the registration deadline to June 3, 2018. Foster said, in addition to the committee, a firm has been hired that will assess the candidates. The impact of the vehicle caused the pole to snap and lean on top of power lines. Foster said modern government operations require qualified personnel to handle treasurer and clerk duties. BY MiBiz Staff Friday, June 08, 2018 01:37pm. When more beaches had them, lifeguards routinely stayed out of the water and even left the beach altogether on red flag warning days. The city first narrowed it down to four people before selecting him. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. since 2015. A search committee will narrow down the candidates. The committee consists of Foster, Jackie Steckel, assistant to the city manager, Kathy MacLean, chair of the downtown development authority, John Henderson, fire chief, and Les Johnson, third ward councilor and chairman of the personnel and finance committee. I am very excited to begin work as Ottawa Countys next Deputy County Administrator and to join a dedicated team of public servants, providing excellent public services in a cost-effective manner, Shay said in a statement. With the paid parking, the city brought enforcement officers on all-terrain vehicles to Pere Marquette beach who could help respond to water emergencies, Peterson said. More: Former Ottawa County administrator John Shay a finalist for Wyoming city manager, More: Ottawa County Board abruptly fires administrator, hires former GOP candidate John Gibbs. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. The candidates are James Van Ess, Patrick Reagan and Mitchell Foster, said Interim City Manager Steve Brock, who provided to the Daily News the resumes and cover letters of the three interviewees. On Saturday, Oct. 27, Macunovich will come to Ludington to conduct an all-day seminar for local gardeners. https://t.co/WnALTl1vRX, The city of Wyoming is such a vibrant community and Im eager to get started working with the team, Shay wrote in a statement. But more than enter the waters to save a life, Sartini said lifeguards also save them with warnings and education. Kozal began working in Ludington in May 2020, replacing Mark Barnett, who retired after serving the city for 19 years. Refer to Use Policy for more information. While the police chief is an appointed position, the city treasurer is an elected position. Ludington city manager ready for challenges, glad to be back in west Michigan. Van Ess has been Tallmadge Township supervisor since 2005. Chad Rushing kicks off intimate concert series at LACA. Hosier estimated it would cost between $100,000 and $200,000 to restart a lifeguard program. I know its one of the topics that the charter revision commission is looking at.. He had served as Ludington city manager for 15 years. I am very excited to begin work as Ottawa Countys next Deputy County Administrator and to join a dedicated team of public servants, providing excellent public services in a cost-effective manner, said Shay in a press release. Those are questions city officials are pondering as they evaluate a proposed change to Ludingtons zoning, which would allow more short-term rentals renter stays of less than 28 days to be created downtown. He is also glad to be back in west Michigan, and specifically Mason County, where he grew up. Ludington seeks new police chief, treasurer. Are there enough short-term and long-term rentals in downtown Ludington? Ludington City Manager John Shay currently works on a year-to-year contract. A year after he left, Muskegon eliminated its lifeguard program, citing finances as the reason. I felt like I had failed (Patterson) and I failed her family because somehow, I wasnt able to push this town I love so much hard enough to step up our beach and pier safety protocol, Daugherty told the council. Former Ottawa County administrator John Shay a finalist for Wyoming city manager, Ottawa County Board abruptly fires administrator, hires former GOP candidate John Gibbs, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. While Ludington has beach officers who patrol the beach, the lack of available lifeguards and training for them as well as liability concerns expressed by the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority has prevented a lifeguard program from being pushed forward, Foster said. This article is available to paid digital subscribers. He was responsible for budgeting and finance, personnel and community partnerships, as well as communication with the media and public. A rash of Lake Michigan drownings in recent years, including 19 in Michigan this year, has renewed calls for beach lifeguards. Barnett, she said, had requested that all the police personnel become employees of Ludington and that the Ludington Police Department provide patrols in Scottville. Shay was selected from a pool of 118 applicants, according to a statement from the county. Nowhere on Lake Michigan is the call for lifeguards louder than in South Haven, where the drowning of 13-year-old Theron Brooker-Nolan of Ann Arbor who got caught in a rip tide in July 2019 prompted citizen Kam Daugherty to start a return-the-lifeguards petition and form a citizen activist group. Lifeguards at Silver Beach entered the water for a swimmer rescue/assistance once during 2020, Jill Adams, environmental property manager for the county parks department told MLive. These are just a few of the creatures that make up the acrylic menagerie decorating the walls of the lobby outside the performance hall at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. Link: City Manager Page. We will be making a succession plan a high priority. Foster said he would like to have a new police chief in place by the Nov. 14 meeting of the city council. Shay is in charge of more than 1,200 employees and the day-to-day operations of county government. While Ludington has beach officers who patrol the beach, the lack of available lifeguards and training for them as well as liability concerns expressed by the Michigan Municipal Risk Management. He started looking, and saw shadowing on the lake floor, dove in and pulled out 19-year-old Jazmyn Patterson. Theyre pretty common on the beaches theyre just expected.. DuBOIS A City of DuBois resident asked the DuBois City Council, at its meeting on Monday night, if the city has paid a significant amount of money for the private defense of Manager John . We dont have a clear mandate on what the city should do, South Haven Interim Manager Kate Hosier said. R. Bogner was the lowest bidding contractor at $33 per stump, and was the recommended choice by the Ludington Department of Public Works, since the city has dealt with the contractor for several years, and the stump grinding was considered satisfactory. Once a swimmer starts struggling, they typically become submerged within a minute, he said. Mitchell Foster is the City Manager at Ludington High School based in Ludington, Michigan. Have a suggestion for local roads to repair? Slow down. LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) Louis Martinez will never have to embellish the proverbial fish story after confirmation that he set a new state record for the largest Chinook salmon ever caught in Michigan. Tim Kozal offered job after national search After a nationwide search, the City of Muskegon says, it has found its next Director of Public Safety. Follow this reporter on Twitter @SentinelJake. Shay was replaced by former GOP congressional candidate John Gibbs. LUDINGTON Mitch Foster has been on the job as city manager since March 18. LUDINGTON The City of Ludington is currently in the process of replacing its police chief and treasurer. We will be setting the next generation up for success.. The City Manager administers and coordinates various functions of City government as stated in the City Charter and supplemented by policies established by the City Council. The candidates include: James Van Ess, supervisor of Tallmadge Charter Township in Ottawa County, Patrick Reagan, city manager of Crystal Falls, and Mitchell Foster, village administrator of Winneconne, Wisc. Wyoming City Council said it hopes to approve an employment agreement by mid-May. Staff Directory. Ludington City Manager Mitch Foster said the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to repave Ludington Avenue and Lakeshore Drive in 2020, but he is recommending a complete reconstruction to solve the underlying road issues. Professional Management The purpose of MME is to foster and encourage the personal and professional development of its members in order that they may better serve their communities and to promote, encourage, and preserve high ethical standards for municipal executives. The council approved the dates of two fundraiser events Footsteps for Families on May 25 at Rotary Park and Blessing of the Boats on June 1 at the Ludington Municipal Marina. Both Bailey and Richards said recruiting lifeguards is their biggest challenge. Ludington City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Ludington Municipal Building, 400 S. Harrison St. in Ludington. Teams of four players can register online until 11:59PM on June 3, or until the team count of 800 teams is reached. As lakeshore residents brace for the impending arrival of fall, the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) is adding a new and intimate performance series to its roster of events to accompany the change of season. Like others, Olson mentioned costs and difficulty in recruitment as other barriers to lifeguard programs. For more of this story, pick up a copy of the print edition of The Ludington Daily News or buy our e-edition. Although Steckel was offered to be paid her regular salary as assistant to the city manager plus the difference between her salary and the city managers wages, she chose instead to be paid her salary and just 75 percent of the difference in wages. Right now, were going to continue to have discussions on whether lifeguards are needed, she said. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. The Ludington City Council will hold a special meeting at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at city hall to choose which candidates for city manager to interview at a later time. The wind was ripping out of the north pretty hard, but the lake wasnt rough yet, Brusse said. During its meeting Monday, the Ludington City Council approved additional compensation for Jackie Steckel for her time as acting city manager. When high water kills: Drownings on Great Lakes soar in 2019, South Haven residents push for lifeguards after rash of Lake Michigan drownings, Who can close the Lake Michigan piers? Foster said the committee is searching both internally and externally. City Manager Amy Williams said she recently met with Police Chief Mark Barnett and Ludington City Manager John Shay. It was with seven simple words that the second and final Rhythm & Dunes concert of the summer got underway Saturday at Waterfront Park. Departments. Shay last served as administrator in Ottawa County from August 2021-January 2023, when he was ousted during a shakeup by the county board. City Hall Hours. All three of the top candidates for the position of Ludington city manager have agreed to be interviewed by the city council on Jan. 24, said Interim City Manager Steve Brock. Prior to coming to Ludington, he was the director of public safety for the City of Manistee for three years. Its critical because those communities have an obligation to protect tourists, many of them out-of-towners with no knowledge of the lakes power, he said. High lake levels have made walking on such breakwalls and pierheads extremely risky at times, but few have anything other than warning signs to keep people off the structures that are mostly controlled by the Corps of Engineers. Shay won the position among 48 candidates. Alan Wernette, Ludington State Park interpreter led the program with five participants. Jared Litwiller, of Ludington, was sworn into his new role as a part-time employee of the city immediately following city councils regular public meeting at City Hall. This years competition features entries from Todd and Brad Reed Photography, Ryan Reed, Rachel Gaudette, T.J. MANISTEE A 20-year-old Pentwater man died and a 23-year-old Ludington man was critically injured when they were struck by a car Tuesday afternoon in Bear Lake. All rights reserved (About Us). The block of North William Street by House of Flavors will become a one-way street, the Ludington City Council decided Monday. This is one of those things that most cities the size of Ludington have changed over to appointing the treasurer and clerk, Foster said. If you look just down the road, the City of Scottville appoints its clerk and treasurer.. Were competing with McDonalds thats paying $15 an hour, said New Buffalo City Manager David Richards. City of Ludington City Manager Jennifer Cleaver Secretary/Treasurer Community Investment Committee Member The Law Office of J. Cleaver, PLLC Brooke Felger Safety Decals Jason Jeffrey West Shore Educational Service District Superintendent Tim Nieboer Community Investment Committee Member House of Flavors Name Title Email Phone Additional Phone Foster, Mitch City Manager: 231-845-6237 Steckel, Jackie . There were 65 students with diplomas or were GED exam qualifiers from Mason County to use the Mason County Promise. Even though the lifeguards are trained to an acceptable level, theyre still young and the lake is formidable, Richards said. Reagan, who is from Muskegon, worked in Iron Mountain in 2008 as a Downtown Development Authority director and Main Street manager. City Manager City of Ludington, Michigan Mar 2019 - Present4 years 2 months Ludington, MI I oversee the day-to-day operations of a full-service city with 65 full-time employees and with. RELATED: Could these lives have been saved by lifeguards along Lake Michigan? These safety measures vary greatly, with some such as the sprawling Pere Marquette beach in Muskegon having very few visible life-saving items to Ludingtons smaller Stearns Park where life rings and information graphics are placed on numbered posts and a very visible emergency call box is at the waters edge. Ultimately, the final decision is up to the city manager. Were they life and death? Entering into week three, hes learning many aspects of the community. Her last day was Aug. 24. The Ludington City Council on Monday authorized the city to publish its intent to borrow up to $5 million in additional federal bonds to pay for improvements to the citys sewage disposal system, including the waste water treatment plant on Sixth Street and the main pump station at Rath Avenue. Shay has previously served as city manager in Ludington, village manager in Almont and has worked in local government for 25 years, according to a release from Wyoming. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Fire Department The Ludington Fire Department is comprised of 21 on-call/part-paid Firefighters. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Ludington City Manager John Shay currently works on a year-to-year contract.

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