On Feb. 24, City Council conducted interviews with Jackson and one other applicant but waited to discuss until the regular council meeting of March 5.

Ultimately, the board unanimously agreed to contact Jackson and let him know they intend to offer him the position, pending the compilation of a contract and completion of background checks.

There was some discussion beforehand about whether to progress with an offer, hold a second interview with the chosen candidate, or conduct more interviews with other job-seekers.

City of Escanaba Human Resources Director Heather Calouette reported that the city had received 30 applications for the city manager position.

Escanaba Public Works Director Kent Dubord explains at a meeting on Thursday evening why plow crews would benefit from having an extra hour of parking restrictions. Also shown in frame are City Clerk Phil DeMay and Council Member Tyler Dubord. Dubord, Ron Beauchamp, and Todd Flath all voted against extending parking restrictions. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Near the start of the discussion, Council Member Tyler Dubord asked his fellow board members whether they were comfortable with the limited scope they’d interviewed, or if they wanted to “continue additional interviews with additional candidates … to make sure we’re covering our bases and having a good choice for everyone to decide on the best candidate.”

Council Members Karen Moore and Ron Beauchamp seemed to feel most strongly that an offer should be made to the best candidate at the moment, lest the city lose the opportunity to hire him.

“I know this candidate is … interviewing other places, and if we feel he’s good, we need to reel him in,” Moore said.

To answer Dubord’s question, Moore remarked that she was comfortable moving ahead with Jackson because out of all the applications received, there were several strong candidates, and the council had narrowed their options down to the three best before holding two interviews.

“I was very impressed with one of the candidates, and I did talk to some people that have experience working with him, and I encountered no negative issues with him. And he was very forthcoming,” Moore said. “He answered the questions … with facts and experience in every one of the questions. So to me, that is an impressive candidate … He’s got experience in things that we need for the city. He’s worked in waterfront areas. He’s done housing.”

Troy Drebenstedt of Gladstone explains to the Escanaba City Council how the Escanaba Yacht Club has supported the Gladstone Sail School, which he operates. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Others agreed the housing experience would be beneficial.

Until very recently, Jackson was employed with the Village of Waterford — located southwest of Milwaukee on the Fox River in Racine County, Wisconsin — as their village administrator. According to the municipality’s website, Jackson had been employed with them for eight years. The Village of Waterford announced in December that Jackson would be leaving, effective Feb. 28.

“The Village thanks Mr. Jackson for his tireless efforts to improve the Village over his term,” their press release stated. “The planning, modernization, improvements and economic development that occurred during his administration have transformed the Village of Waterford into a community we can all be proud of. The Village wishes Mr. Jackson nothing but continued success in his future endeavors.”

If Jackson ends up turning down the opportunity to lead the City of Escanaba or fails the psychological or criminal background check, council will move forward with either interviewing additional candidates or turning to the existing second choice, a Carlson.

Current City Manager James (“Jim”) McNeil, who announced his resignation in early December, plans to leave the employ of the city in May.

When asked on Friday whether he was ready to announce what his next endeavor would be, McNeil said, “I want to ensure that my remaining time is dedicated to finishing our current projects and supporting a smooth transition. I’m excited about the future, but I’m not quite ready to announce my next venture just yet. I want the community’s attention to remain where it belongs, which is on the search for the next manager, ongoing operations, and our infrastructure projects. I’ll be sure to share more when the time is right.”

In other business at the Escanaba City Council’s regular meeting on Thursday:

– There was lengthy but unproductive discussion around to the possibility of changing the winter parking restrictions. Public Works Director Kent Dubord had requested that the restrictions be extended one hour. Presently, the seasonal rules are in effect from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dubord believes his crew could plow better if they went until 8 p.m. When it came to a vote to set a hearing, three commissioners voted no.

– The council approved a resolution to issue New Life Community Center a charitable gaming license so that they may hold large-scale fundraisers.

– Council approved to hire Pemble Concrete to redo the epoxy floors at the Public Works building for a cost of $7,940. Kent Dubord explained that because of the present unevenness of the floor, dirt builds up quickly, and it’s constant battle to keep the floor clean.

– A final public hearing was held for LeverEdge Chiropractic’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The $35,000 grant to the chiropractor was to assist in purchasing fitness equipment and working capital. McNeil reported that LeverEdge completed the requirement of job creation, having hired one employee. No public spoke at the hearing.

– The city granted a special event license to RRN for the local radio station’s block party on July 24, dependent upon insurance and a signature. The 100 block of South 11th Street will be closed to traffic from 6 p.m. on July 23 to noon on July 25.

– City Council approved the $58,710 purchase of playground equipment form GameTime for the West Side Park, located at 2601 Fifth Ave. S. A grant from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association and a donation from Uptoberfest have already covered much of the cost; the portion the city will pay is $15,318.06. This project will be a continuation of the initiative to upgrade playgrounds in the city; last year, new equipment was installed at Stephenson, Rose, Royce, Veterans and Sylvan Point Parks.

– Four members of the public spoke during the general comment period, all to express their support and appreciation for the Escanaba Yacht Club, whose lease is under renegotiation.

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R. R. Branstrom may be contacted at 906-786-2021, ext. 140, or rbranstrom@dailypress.net.