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Gladwin council adopts leave and conduct policies, approves 2026 meeting calendars; tree-removal policy tabled
Summary
The Gladwin City Council on Dec. 1 adopted a citywide Leave Policy and an Employee Relationship and Conduct Policy, approved council and Committee of the Whole meeting calendars for 2026 and tabled a proposed Tree Removal Policy pending clarifications; Carolyn Hall was appointed to the Library Board.
The Gladwin City Council adopted two personnel-related resolutions and set its 2026 meeting schedules during its Dec. 1 regular meeting at City Hall.
Council members voted unanimously to adopt a City of Gladwin Leave Policy that defines accrual, usage and payout provisions for vacation, sick and personal leave for full‑time employees, plus eligibility rules and disciplinary procedures. The resolution names the City Manager as the official responsible for administering the policy; Council Member Caffrey offered the motion, supported by Council Member Winarski, and the roll call recorded ayes from Caffrey, Crawford, Darlington, Esiline, Gutierrez, Platt, Smith and Winarski.
The council also unanimously approved an Employee Relationship and Conduct Policy intended to guide workplace friendships and romantic relationships, clarify conflict-of-interest boundaries and assign oversight of personnel-related conduct to the City Manager. Council Member Caffrey moved adoption and Council Member Crawford seconded; the roll call again recorded unanimous ayes.
In separate votes, the council approved the City Council meeting schedule and the Committee of the Whole calendar for 2026. Clerk Marietta Andrist presented the calendars and Council Member Gutierrez moved approval of the Council calendar; Council Member Darlington seconded. Council Member Caffrey moved approval of the Committee of the Whole schedule with a correction that the December Committee date should be Dec. 17 (not Dec. 1); Council Member Platt seconded. Both resolutions passed on roll-call votes listing the same ayes as above.
Council tabled a proposed Tree Removal Policy after members raised questions about boundary measurements and the policy’s applicability on narrow streets and where sidewalks are absent. Council Member Darlington moved to table the item pending clarification; Council Member Esiline supported the motion and it carried.
The council also approved a personnel appointment: Carolyn Hall was named to the Library Board to replace Nancy Bodnar, who is not seeking another term. The Library Board director’s recommendation was noted in the record and the motion carried by unanimous vote.
Votes at a glance - City of Gladwin Leave Policy — Motion: adopt policy as presented; Mover: Council Member Caffrey; Second: Council Member Winarski; Outcome: adopted; Roll-call ayes: Caffrey, Crawford, Darlington, Esiline, Gutierrez, Platt, Smith, Winarski. - Employee Relationship and Conduct Policy — Motion: adopt policy as presented; Mover: Council Member Caffrey; Second: Council Member Crawford; Outcome: adopted; Roll-call ayes: Caffrey, Crawford, Darlington, Esiline, Gutierrez, Platt, Smith, Winarski. - 2026 City Council meeting schedule — Motion: adopt schedule; Mover: Council Member Gutierrez; Second: Council Member Darlington; Outcome: adopted; Roll-call ayes: Caffrey, Crawford, Darlington, Esiline, Gutierrez, Platt, Smith, Winarski. - 2026 Committee of the Whole schedule — Motion: adopt schedule (with Dec. 17 correction); Mover: Council Member Caffrey; Second: Council Member Platt; Outcome: adopted; Roll-call ayes: Caffrey, Crawford, Darlington, Esiline, Gutierrez, Platt, Smith, Winarski. - Tree Removal Policy — Motion: table pending clarification; Mover: Council Member Darlington; Second: Council Member Esiline; Outcome: tabled; unanimous. - Library Board appointment (Carolyn Hall) — Motion: appoint Carolyn Hall; Mover: Mayor Sarah Kile (statement and recommendation recorded); Outcome: appointed; unanimous.
Why it matters The leave and conduct policies set formal expectations and administrative authority for personnel matters across Gladwin’s municipal operations; establishing meeting calendars provides public notice required under state law. Tabling the tree policy preserves time for staff to clarify technical measurements and applicability before council action.
What’s next The council will revisit the Tree Removal Policy after staff provide the requested clarifications. The new personnel policies take effect as stated in their respective resolutions and administration will be handled by the City Manager as noted in the adopted language.
