Local officials Monday night welcomed interim City Manager Larry Nielsen for his first meeting.
Nielsen, who retired after 10 years with the Village of Paw Paw, began duties Monday, about a week earlier than originally planned, as he cut his vacation short by a week.
“I came back early from my vacation because I was excited to come here,” he told the council. “You’ve got a lot of good things going on,” he added. “There’s so many positive things. Your staff works really hard and they all care about this community.”
Nielsen said about 15 resumes have been received for full-time city manager, the position that became vacant Aug. 25 with the resignation of Tim McLean, who left to live on the east side of the state with his new bride.
In other business Monday evening, the City Council:
• Heard a complaint to Mayor Tim Bala from Councilwoman Tracy Bivins about him recently staying overnight at a hotel in Holland during a three-day conference. Bala said he decided to stay one night because of networking opportunities. Bivins insisted local officials shouldn’t saddle the city with added expenses for a hotel when the site is only 40 miles away from Wayland.
• Learned from Main Street Director Ingrid Miller that Wayland will be bustling with activity this month with the annual Chamber of Commerce Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the middle school, with a dinner and seminar Monday evening, Oct. 16, at Simply Celia’s, with a strategic planning meeting Wednesday, Oct. 16, and the annual Fall Fun Fest all over the downtown from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.
• Agreed to follow the city’s policy handbook and close City Hall on Friday, Dec. 22, and Monday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 29, and Monday, Jan. 1, for the holiday season. The move was made despite the fact that many other area municipalities plan to close on Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26.
“I don’t see why the government should have a day off when everybody else is working,” groused Councilman Tim Rose.
• Approved the low bid of $8,624 from PK Striping for local streets, but not for the medians.
“This is something I’d like to have done on a contracted basis (perhaps every five years),” commented Department of Public Works Superintendent Cole Lutz.
• Approved payment of $82,978.56 for modifications of this year’s street project.
Correction – Fall Fun Fest is 12-3 PM