First-term Marine City commissioner facing censure Thursday

One Marine City elected official amid his first term in office is facing potential censure from his peers on Thursday.

A resolution targeting alleged conduct shown by Commissioner Mike Hilferink at the Aug. 3 City Commission meeting is on tap for the board this week — slated for consideration amid a lengthy agenda that also includes a host of items ranging from marina regulations to grant pursuits.

Listed as being introduced by Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche, the document would formally condemn actions reportedly taken by Hilferink earlier this month, namely the playing of loud music and other recordings amplified at high levels as to be “disruptive, disrespectful, and injurious” to other commissioners.

Hilferink, who was elected to the commission last November, did play recordings of statements from officials at past meetings during an appeal of a Freedom of Information Act request decision in open session Aug. 3. But the conduct described in the censure resolution does not appear to have occurred prior to the commission’s going into closed session toward the end of the evening.

Vandenbossche had not returned a request for comment as of early Wednesday.

City Manager Scott Adkins confirmed the censure was initiated by the mayor as an elected official.

He also confirmed that the behavior detailed in the resolution was associated with activities that occurred in part during closed session.

“However, when we came back into open session, the activities that are spoken about in the resolution continued until the meeting was actually adjourned,” Adkins said.

According to the Aug. 3 agenda, that closed session was to include receiving a legal opinion, discussion of a property purchase, and a periodic performance evaluation of Adkins. Once open session resumed, commissioners authorized the city manager and attorney to approach the purchase of property near the Washington Life Center and Woodlawn Cemetery before voting to adjourn.

The censure proposed this week wouldn’t hold any disciplinary power over Hildferink if approved, serving largely as a nonbinding vehicle for commissioners to make a statement.

But late Tuesday, Hilferink said he was concerned over the nature in which he was being targeted, believing things that happened in a closed session being illustrated in a public resolution was contrary to the intent of the Open Meetings Act.

“So, to draw up a resolution that very clearly details things that happen in a closed session is very inappropriate, very unprofessional, and to me, is an obvious attack to discredit,” he said.

The censure proposal follows months of dissension for Hilferink, who’s been the subject of criticism from former and current officials and some members of the business community, citing both personal matters, as well as his role in argumentative outcomes to discussions as commissioner. Often in response, the commissioner has been outspoken about his First Amendment rights and need to inquire on city business outside of meetings.

Conduct and the relationship between commissioners and city administration during open sessions was the subject behind a special meeting Vandenbossche originally called for Aug. 9. However, the meeting was canceled. At the time, Adkins said it was a subject matter that could also be addressed during a regular meeting.

Also on Thursday’s agenda is Hilferink’s resignation from Marine City’s community and economic development board, to which he was originally appointed in late 2022.

“I have too much on my plate,” the commissioner said when asked about the resignation. “I’m going to be (going) back to school, substituting this fall, and I just don't have the time or energy to spend on that board.”

The City Commission meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month. Agenda items can be found online at https://www.cityofmarinecity.org/city-commission.

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: First-term Marine City commissioner facing censure Thursday