CADILLAC — Cadillac’s City Council is finally able to move ahead after months of inaction due to not having enough members to conduct official business.
The meeting started off with the public swearing in of two new council members and new mayor David Powell. That was followed by an address from the new Mayor.
“Thank you to the citizens for placing your trust in me and electing me as your mayor. I’m deeply grateful for the confidence you have shown and honored by the opportunity to serve this community,” said Powell.
Then the meeting started with public comment and controversy over the city manager Marcus Peccia’s request for a pay increase of up to 24%.
Some in attendance spoke out in support of Peccia, one resident said he has made incredible strides for the city.
“I’m here to support Marcus. I don’t know him personally. I have met him. I know what the city has accomplished under his leadership. Nobody’s perfect,” she said.
While others were against saying it was too soon for a new board to make that decision right out of the gate, like former council member Stephen King who resigned last year over the way the city council was conducting business.
“Sneaking agenda items in on the first meeting of the year with a council that’s brand new is inappropriate in my opinion. Unethical. It should not be done,” said King.
King and several others asked the council to table the request until they could get more information.
Still the council did vote to increase his salary by 9 %, with no changes to benefits or severance. Peccia was asking for an increase up to 24 %.
The vote was four to one. The only dissenting vote was by Mayor Powell, saying he wanted to make a more informed decision.
“I think it has to be part of the evaluation. I think it’s kind of circumventing the review process at that point. And so I do want to say no to anything right now,” said Powell.
“In the end other council members chimed in support for the increase, saying that Peccia had not had a raise in more 2 and a half years. Adding that this will make his pay more in line with surrounding communities with populations of similar sizes.