Chelsea council accepts city manager Michelle L. Cole���������resignation after closed session
September 14, 2026 | Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan
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The Chelsea City Council voted to accept the resignation of City Manager Michelle L. Cole following a closed-session personnel review requested by Cole.
Eric (S4) read Resolution 26-45, which states the council "accepts the resignation of Michelle L. Cole as Chelsea city manager" and notes the manager had the right to a public hearing under the city charter but had requested acceptance of a resignation instead. The resolution also stated the council considered termination appropriate but concluded accepting the resignation was an acceptable conclusion.
Council discussion acknowledged differing views. One member noted that Cole had prior opportunity to resign and listed the council's stated reasons for seeking termination: use of public funds for nonpublic purpose, dishonesty, inappropriate workplace behavior and violation of public trust. The mayor said he would "be grudgingly vote yes" and emphasized the city would save money by accepting the resignation rather than pursuing a public hearing and final termination process.
The resolution passed after roll-call-style voting with dissent noted; council directed that closed-session confidentiality and applicable personnel rules be respected. The transcript records that accepting the resignation ends the termination process because the individual is no longer an employee. The council did not produce additional settlement details on the record during the meeting.
Eric (S4) read Resolution 26-45, which states the council "accepts the resignation of Michelle L. Cole as Chelsea city manager" and notes the manager had the right to a public hearing under the city charter but had requested acceptance of a resignation instead. The resolution also stated the council considered termination appropriate but concluded accepting the resignation was an acceptable conclusion.
Council discussion acknowledged differing views. One member noted that Cole had prior opportunity to resign and listed the council's stated reasons for seeking termination: use of public funds for nonpublic purpose, dishonesty, inappropriate workplace behavior and violation of public trust. The mayor said he would "be grudgingly vote yes" and emphasized the city would save money by accepting the resignation rather than pursuing a public hearing and final termination process.
The resolution passed after roll-call-style voting with dissent noted; council directed that closed-session confidentiality and applicable personnel rules be respected. The transcript records that accepting the resignation ends the termination process because the individual is no longer an employee. The council did not produce additional settlement details on the record during the meeting.
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