By Rich Harp
For the Tribune

HARBOR BEACH — Discussion of the city’s personnel manual was a major undertaking during the city council meeting this week.

Since the manual was approved in December 2010, department heads have suggested several changes. If these changes are adopted into the manual, it will need to be amended or a new manual will need to be created.

Harbor Beach city council members and Mayor Gary Booms decided to read the entire manual over the course of multiple city council meetings. Council dedicated 20 minutes to the manual at Monday’s meeting. The idea is to continue reviewing the manual and discussing the changes recommended by the department heads and other changes that may occur during the readings at future meetings until the project is finished.

Parks and Recreation Director Ron Wruble — who, along with Police Chief Sid Schock, has taken over the duties of the former finance officer/clerk — suggested the personnel manual be the basis for all individual contracts with all city employees. This statement would be written into the manual.

Council also discussed the terms and names and titles of persons in management positions. This specifically was in regard to the Finance Officer/Clerk position which has been vacated.

Council then discussed various committees. The number of people on each committee and the assignments of these people were the major topic of interest. This discussion was followed by rethinking of the Nepotism policy and how it relates to department heads.

Before time ran out, the last item discussed was that regarding physical or medical and psychological exams of employees. The need for these exams and their frequency was the topic of concern. Also, the topic of random drug testing for all employees was discussed.

During the citizens comment portion of Monday’s meeting, resident Sheila Blain inquired if there were any rules or ordinances to get petitions signed.

Schock said it is constitutionally correct to allow petitions to be gathered, and the city has two ordinances in place addressing this. The first regulates outdoor gatherings and the second deals with merchants.

Also during citizen comment, Warren Ramsey discussed his pride in the town for all that transpired during the Private Backus funeral. He said military personnel in attendance had said they were extremely impressed with the way the community pulled together and how respectful the town’s people were.

Also during the comment period, a local resident discussed Saturday’s Cart Race, which was sponsored by the American Legion Post 197 and the City of Harbor Beach. He said the race was very well organized and that all the volunteers should be commended on their great work.

In other matters Monday, council:

• Voted to authorize the mayor to renegotiate a bill for $33,000 to $35,000 to the Spicier Group’s contract for work on the Water Treatment Plant. In essence, Spicier Group claims it paid for some items that were not part of the agreement. The mayor will renegotiate the bill after review of the Spicier Group’s documentation.

• Unanimously voted to pay RCL Construction Company $354,994.93 for work on the water treatment plant. Council also approved two change order requests totaling $6,363 that RCL Construction submitted. One of these was for $5,713 for software and programming.

• Approved paying $126,000 to Lee Wood Contracting for street repairs. Council noted the project is 95 to 99 percent finished. Council decided to hold back the remaining $5,000 owed to Lee Wood until the city is satisfied that the job is totally completed.

• Heard from Councilman Al Kleinknecht, who thanked everyone involved in the Maritime Festival. He listed events that have increased or expanded this year. Kleinknecht then asked if there was a two hour parking limit in the downtown area. Schock said there is.

Councilman Bob Swartz asked Kleinknect to explain the $5,000 payment to the Jet Ski promoter during Maritime. Kleinknecht said the fee was for the Jet Ski set up. He explained the promoter guaranteed an event, but he could not guarantee the number of Jet Ski riders attending. It was noted this year’s event cost the city $5,000 less than last year.

The next Harbor Beach City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 1 in City Hall.