Gladwin council adopts prorated retention bonus for part‑time employees; approves commission appointments

The Gladwin City Council voted Dec. 15 to extend a prorated retention bonus to non‑seasonal part‑time city employees, approving a resolution that sets payments at 50% of the full‑time bonus and delegates administration to city leadership.

City Administrator Kimberly Hines told the council that "a retention bonus was approved by vote for all employees back in August" and presented the resolution to include part‑time employees on a prorated basis. Council Member Esiline moved to adopt the measure and Council Member Platt supported the motion. The roll‑call vote recorded ayes from Crawford, Darlington, Esiline, Gutierrez, Platt, Smith and Winarski; Council Member Caffrey was absent and there were no nays.

The adopted resolution authorizes prorated retention bonuses for non‑seasonal part‑time staff equal to 50% of the full‑time rate and preserves other eligibility terms from the earlier full‑time bonus authorization. The resolution includes a tiered schedule of payments by years of continuous service as of Sept. 11, 2025: 0–1 year: $50; 2–4 years: $150; 5–9 years: $300; 10–14 years: $450; 15–19 years: $600; 20–24 years: $750; 25+ years: $1,250. The City Manager and the Treasurer are authorized to administer and distribute the payments; the resolution states payments will be made at the same time as the full‑time retention bonus but does not specify an exact payment date.

Earlier in the meeting the council approved multiple appointments in a single motion. The council confirmed Roger Gardner to the Airport Commission for a three‑year term ending 12/01/28; Lacey Dennings to the Housing Commission for a five‑year term ending 11/04/30; Terry Hinman to the Parks Commission (term as listed in the minutes ending 12/01/57 — the minutes contain that date) and Deb Platt to a two‑year Parks Commission term ending 07/01/27. The appointments were moved by Council Member Darlington, supported by Council Member Gutierrez, and passed by recorded voice vote (seven ayes, one absent).

Treasurer Angela Bigham and Council Member Platt reviewed warrant and payroll items before the council approved warrants dated Dec. 2–15, 2025 totaling $70,660.17 and payroll dated Dec. 10, 2025 totaling $48,483.63.

The resolution was certified by Clerk Marietta Andrist after adoption. The council did not set a specific payout date in the minutes; the administration is authorized to implement and distribute the prorated payments in accordance with the resolution.