The Pelham City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to appoint Jonathan Seale as city clerk treasurer for the City of Pelham. Resolution 2025-01-0605 names Jonathan Seale as city clerk treasurer, effective Feb. 3, 2025, with the term set to expire Nov. 3, 2025. The motion to approve was moved and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The city clerk treasurer performs statutory recordkeeping and administrative duties for the council and manages agenda production, ordinances and financial records. The appointment replaces long-serving city clerk Tom Seale, who is retiring after years of service.

Selection process and background: City Manager Gretchen DeFonte described a recruitment and interview process that included three finalists and an external interview panelist, Mark Fry (city clerk for Alabaster), who joined the panel to provide subject-matter expertise. DeFonte said the council provided guidance and the city made a job offer to Jonathan Seale after interviews. Jonathan Seale told the council he was "very humbled and very appreciative" of the appointment and said he would represent the city to the best of his ability.

Council action: Resolution 2025-01-0605 was read into the record by the council president and then moved for approval; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. Council members voting yes included Council President Mercer, Council member Quorum, Council member Leverett, Council member Walsh and Council member Harris. After the vote, Jonathan Seale spoke briefly and thanked the council, the mayor and family members who attended.

Context and next steps: The city manager described the hiring panel and the decision as the culmination of a standard recruitment process. The resolution sets Feb. 3, 2025 as Seale's start date; city staff will proceed with the transition and any required onboarding. Tom Seale was publicly thanked by council members for his years of service during the meeting.