Gladwin council authorizes search to retain specialized labor law attorney

The Gladwin City Council on Jan. 5 unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the city administrator to complete interviews and retain specialized labor counsel to represent the city in negotiations, contracts, grievances and unfair labor practice (ULP) matters.

City Administrator Kimberly Hines told the council she is seeking counsel with specialized services for negotiations, contracts, grievances and ULPs and said she discussed the topic with Attorney Michael Gildner. Council Member Darlington offered the resolution and Council Member Winarski supported it. The roll-call vote recorded Ayes from Caffrey, Crawford, Darlington, Esiline, Gutierrez, Platt, Smith and Winarski; there were no Nays or abstentions. The resolution states the administrator, in consultation with the city attorney, is authorized to complete the interview process and retain labor counsel and that the administrator shall notify council once counsel is retained. The resolution takes effect immediately.

The council did not discuss a specific firm or fee schedule at the meeting; Hines said she would ensure the cost is “in budget.” The transcript records that Hines had spoken with Michael Gildner about the search but does not specify whether Gildner will participate in the interview process or represent the city going forward.

The action followed routine agenda business earlier in the meeting. The closed session item on pending litigation and strategy with Plunkett Cooney was moved to the end of the meeting, and the council handled the labor counsel authorization as a formal resolution with a roll-call vote.