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Pentwater council unanimously approves offer to Rachel Witherspoon for village manager
Summary
After interviewing four finalists and holding a citizen roundtable, the Pentwater Village Council voted 7-0 to extend an offer to Rachel Witherspoon to begin contract negotiations for the village manager post; the council asked a consultant to contact her and inform other candidates.
President Jeff Hodges recommended Rachel Witherspoon for the Village of Pentwater manager position, and the council voted unanimously to extend an offer following candidate interviews and a citizen roundtable.
The council conducted a two-step selection process on Sept. 5: one-hour, council-led interviews (each allowing ten minutes for candidates’ questions) and a one-hour citizen roundtable made up of Mary Marshall, Amy LaBarge, Joe Roberson and Dean Gustafson, with Interim Manager Steve Brock participating. Candidates Katherine “Katie” Anderson, Kelly Ewalt, Drew Willison and Rachel Witherspoon each addressed the council on topics including communication, leadership, community engagement and budget management.
After the roundtable and discussion, President Jeff Hodges recommended the appointment of Rachel Witherspoon. Councilman Jared Griffis moved, and Phil Frame supported, a motion “to approve extending an offer to Rachel Witherspoon for the Village of Pentwater Manager position.” The council approved the motion in a roll-call vote: Bluhm, Frame, Griffis, Nugent, O’Connor, Palmer and Hodges — Yes. Motion approved 7-0.
The council asked Mitch Foster of Double Haul Solutions to contact Witherspoon to determine whether she is interested in entering contract negotiations; if she agrees, Foster will also notify the other candidates that the council appreciated their participation. The council record notes the interviews were scheduled as follows: Katherine “Katie” Anderson 9:30–10:40 a.m.; Kelly Ewalt 10:45–11:55 a.m.; Drew Willison 1:00–2:10 p.m.; Rachel Witherspoon 2:15–3:25 p.m., with a lunch recess from 12:05–1:00 p.m. Council interviews were allocated one hour and ten minutes each, including ten minutes for candidate questions.
During the public-comment period, resident Heather Douglas asked whether the council would offer relocation expenses to an incoming manager. Claudia Ressel-Hodan offered thanks to the council for its work. The council moved to adjourn at 4:48 p.m., with a motion by Don Palmer supported by Phil Frame.
Next steps noted in the meeting record: Foster will contact Witherspoon to gauge interest in contract negotiations; the council did not record a contract or finalized compensation in the minutes.
