Montrose council approves Pivot Group to lead city manager search at $9,300

The Montrose City Council voted Oct. 8 to hire the Pivot Group to conduct the city manager executive search, approving a $9,300 proposal. The motion was moved by Council Member Todd Pangle and seconded by Council Member Ryan Heslop.

Interim City Manager Bob Naumann told the council that three proposals had been submitted for the search. James Freed of the Pivot Group and Emily Kieliszewski of the Michigan Municipal League each introduced themselves and presented their organizations' proposals to the council during the special meeting at Montrose City Offices.

The minutes record that, on the motion to accept the Pivot Group proposal in the amount of $9,300, the roll-call line lists Robert Arnold, Aaron Burch, Ryan Heslop, Mark Richard, a member listed as Martin, and Mayor Colleen Brown as voting "Aye" and Todd Pangle as voting "Nay." The same entry in the minutes also states, "Motion Passed. Five (5) Ayes, One (1) Nay." The named roll-call votes (six ayes, one nay) and the written numerical tally (five ayes, one nay) conflict; the minutes do not explain the discrepancy or the identity/status of the person recorded as "Martin." The council approved the Pivot Group proposal as recorded in the meeting minutes.

After the executive-search vote, Council Member Aaron Burch moved to adjourn, Council Member Todd Pangle seconded, and the minutes record "All Ayes." Mayor Colleen Brown adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. The minutes were prepared by Interim City Manager Bob Naumann.

The meeting record does not specify next steps or a timeline for the search beyond approval of the Pivot Group proposal.