Current city manager James (“Jim”) McNeil announced his planned exit in early December. The young man has served the City of Escanaba for about seven years, including as city assessor and interim city manager. He was made permanent city manager in February 2023.

Four months after he submitted his notice to resign, there is now less than one month until McNeil’s intended last day, May 15.

On Feb. 24, city council interviewed Zeke Jackson, outgoing administrator for the Village of Waterford, Wis., and Carlson, former town administrator of Freedom, Wis.

At a March 5 meeting, the city agreed to offer the city manager position to Jackson, pending a background check and contract negotiations.

Council Member Tyler Dubord recommends extending an offer to a city manager candidate soon. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Jackson ended up withdrawing his interest in the city manager position, McNeil relayed to city council at a regular meeting on March 19. Council directed McNeil to again post the job vacancy internally, on the city website and on social media, with an application deadline of April 2.

Following the second call for managerial hopefuls, Escanaba City Council on April 8 held a special meeting in which they interviewed candidate Heath Eddy of Green Bay, Wis.

Determining next steps in the interview and hiring process was an agenda item for the council’s next scheduled meeting of April 16 — this past Thursday.

Noting that time was of the essence, McNeil asked the council to consider their options. They could wait to hear from other candidates who had applied but not yet responded to requests for interviews, direct the hiring committee to make contact with one of the existing forerunners, hire a headhunting consultant to aid with completing the search, and consider appointing an interim manager.

Council Member Tyler Dubord recommended that the council set their sights on Carlson.

Escanaba City Council Member Karen Moore expresses a concern that the leading candidate for city manager, while a lovely person, might be underqualified. (R. R. Branstrom)

“Let’s look at negotiating an offer (with Carlson),” Dubord said. “I think there’s definitely potential. He’s got an ability to learn. I think so far out of all of our candidates, he’s the one that has some background. He’s the one that we could look at. He’s teachable. … We’re running out of time. I think this is a good time if we can get the hiring committee to meet with him, to negotiate.”

He suggested starting off with a one-year contract.

Discussion ensued.

Council Member Karen Moore expressed that she had some reservations because she felt Carlson lacked the experience the job required.

“I feel very confident In this council’s ability to oversee and to steer things in a good direction,” Mayor Mark Ammel said in response to Moore’s concerns. “I think council had enough foresight to hire Mr. McNeil. I think council had enough foresight to get out of the situation we were in prior to that. And I think we have experienced department heads and workers who are capable of doing their work quite independently, and can also offer guidance.”

Adam Fix, left, of the Escanaba Public Works Department accepts a certificate recognizing the department's hard work this winter from Mayor Mark Ammel. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

He remarked that everyone had some concerns, “and we will continue to have those until this candidate has proven themselves,” showing that the council was not making decisions lightly.

When the motion came to a vote, all council members unanimously voted in favor of entering contract negotiations with Carlson.

As an additional measure, Dubord moved to appoint City Controller Melissa Becotte as interim city manager if Carlson or another hiree had not yet begun by the time McNeil left the city. The motion passed.

“I did notice Mr. McNeil left off his list of possibilities that we could just refuse to accept the resignation,” joked Mayor Mark Ammel.

In other business at the regular Escanaba City Council meeting of April 16:

Hard-working city staff was recognized at Thursday's council meeting and were offered cake from Elmer's.

– The fourth public hearing for the proposed budget for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year was scheduled for May 7.

– Of 29 bids received to provide food and drink concessions at Ludington Park for 2026, Sticky Fingers’ Root Beer Barrel, owned by Frank Destrampe, was selected. Their health certificate and insurance are to be forthcoming. Hours of operation will depend on weather and park attendance. Concessionaire’s fee is $350 for the summer, paid to the city by check.

– Stenberg Brothers was hired for sanitation services at the park and recreation facilities for the period between May 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.

– The purchase of a ladder truck for Escanaba Public Safety firefighting was approved. The cost is $1.925 million, negotiated down from $2.2 million, Director Smith explained. The vehicle will be due for delivery in about four years.

– City Council voted to establish a Tree Advisory Board.

– Members approved the purchase of chemicals for the water/wastewater department.

– Council agreed to hire Dixon Engineering of Lake Odessa for maintenance of the north water tower for an amount not exceeding $66,200 and for the south water tower in an amount not exceeding $63,675.

– Oberstar, Inc. will be hired for manhole replacement at 7th Avenue South and 15th Street. Water Superintendent Jeff Lampi explained that the area is the site of a sinkhole. The cost is projected to be $112,000 including contingency.

– Firm C2AE will be hired to assess the drinking water system for $7,500.

– C2AE will also assist with a plan for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for an amount not to exceed $4,000.

– Council approved a route and use of public space for the Ludington Street Cruise.

– The city recognized Public Works employees for their hard work and sacrifice during the recent blizzard. Mayor Ammel presented certificates to staff in attendance.

– April 24 was proclaimed as Arbor Day.

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R. R. Branstrom may be reached at rbranstrom@dailypress.net.