Special Meeting minutes February 27, 2025 (Minutes)
Event Date: 2025-02-27
Summarized with ai model: grok-2-1212
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The Northport Village Council convened a special meeting on February 27, 2025, to conduct interviews for the Village Manager position. President Pro Tempore Cook led the meeting, which included Council Members Dean, Cavendish, Harper, Ager, and Trustee Ruble via Zoom. The agenda was accepted as presented, and no public comments were made. The Council interviewed five candidates: Dorando, Green, Marske, Moskovitz, and Ottenwess. Each candidate was questioned on their background, understanding of the Village Manager’s role, management style, financial management skills, leadership qualities, employee relations, and commitment to zoning regulations. A notable discussion centered around candidate Jared Ottenwess, who addressed his previous departure from the Traverse City Manager position, clarifying it was voluntary due to personal health and family issues, and emphasized his personal and professional growth since then.
Following the interviews, the Council deliberated on selecting candidates for a second round of interviews. An informal method suggested by advisory member Chet Janik involved each council member writing down their top two candidates. The majority favored Douglas Durando and Jared Ottenwess, resulting in a motion to invite them back for further interviews, which passed with a 4-1 vote, with Trustee Dean dissenting and preferring candidates Green and Moskovitz. The second round of interviews was scheduled for March 7, 2025. The Council acknowledged the difficulty in narrowing down the selection from a pool of highly qualified candidates, highlighting the challenge of the decision-making process.
The meeting concluded without any public or council comments, and was adjourned at 4:20 pm. Several citizens attended the meeting, which was documented by Joni Scott, the Village of Northport Clerk. The Council’s methodical approach to the selection process underscores their commitment to appointing a Village Manager who aligns with the community’s needs and expectations.