Commission approves sale of city lot, confirms finance director and defers HR appointment; approves purchases

The Mount Clemens City Commission approved several administrative and consent items during the meeting, including the sale of a vacant city lot, confirmation of a finance director appointment, deferral of a human resources appointment and approval of purchases and invoices.

By roll call the commission authorized sale of 217 North Walnut to James Brown for $750 and authorized the mayor and clerk to sign closing documents; staff said the city acquired the lot, removed the structure and combined it with an adjacent city parcel prior to sale.

The commission moved to confirm the city manager's appointment of Linda Koonath (transcript variants; listed in motion as "Linda A. Kuneff") to the position of finance director/treasurer effective Nov. 2, 2015, with an annual salary reported at $73,000; administration described a three‑person hiring committee and a transition plan with the incumbent finance director. Roll call returned at least one dissenting vote but a majority approved the confirmation.

A separate motion to confirm the city manager's appointment of the human resources director produced a split roll call (two commissioners voted no and two yes, with two members absent); the chair stated the matter would be brought forward at a future meeting because the commission lacked a full membership for confirmation.

The commission approved purchases and payment of invoices as presented. A commissioner questioned a $9,000 charge to remove underground storage tanks discovered during storm sewer work; staff said the work was not bid because of timing constraints, the city was listed as the registered owner of the tanks, and DEQ and the city's environmental attorney directed the remediation approach. The roll call on the purchases motion carried.