Questions, confusion arise over complaints about Boyne City's city manager

BOYNE CITY — Complaints about Boyne City City Manager Mike Cain caused confusion and questions at the city commission's meeting on Oct. 10, as commissioner Marty Moody continues to push for a review of Cain's performance.

Moody claims that Cain is unresponsive to the wishes of the elected officials of the city and requested at the Sept. 26 city commission meeting that the commissioners go into a private closed session to discuss the issue.

"For two years we've been trying to get certain things done and put in place ... we ask for bids and don't get bids. We ask for clarifications, we don't get clarifications. We ask for things to be put on the agenda, things don't get put on the agenda," said Moody.

"The agenda is the city commission's agenda ... but the bottom line is the city manager has never had any push back. So he just sets the agenda and that's how it's gonna be," Moody added.

Moody also said he didn't feel like the bidding process for the city was being transparent enough, among other issues.

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At the most recent city commission meeting on Oct. 10, the commissioners discussed setting a meeting to debate Cain's performance. However, Moody was not in attendance. Both Mayor Hugh Conklin and commissioner Tom Neidhamer were resistant to the unscheduled review, stating that Cain had already had his annual review process and passed with praise.

Without Moody's presence on Oct. 10, all the members of the city commission remained unsure of what the purpose of Cain's performance evaluation would be. Several citizens spoke during public comment also conveying their confusion about the complaints against Cain.

"I still have not heard from the city commissioners what the issue is regarding the employment of Mike Cain," said Neidhamer, commenting on the lack of communication regarding the situation.

Commissioner Tim Nemecek added that "In regards to this agenda topic possibly becoming a closed session, I understand what the frustration is as far as what is the topic about? A city commissioner who is not here tonight took a poll in regards to having a conversation in regards to Mike's employment. He can't go into details because then it would be a violation of the Open Meetings Act."

"I don't understand what the request is about ... I would need to go into that meeting to gain that information," Nemecek said.

During the meeting, Cain said "I am unaware of what a meeting regarding my employment would be about."

Cain was unable to be reached for further comment on the topic.

— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Confusion rises over complaints about Boyne City's city manager