WHITEHALL — The Whitehall city council unanimously voted to offer the city manager position to Daniel Tavernier at a special meeting Friday.
According to a city press release, Tavernier will now enter into negotiations with Double Haul Solutions, which the city hired to facilitate the search process. A full offer will come after completion of background checks and other city processes; it's expected the council will be presented a contract for approval at a July meeting.
Tavernier is expected to replace Scott Huebler, who plans to retire in August after serving in the position since 2001.
Tavernier, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, comes to the City of Whitehall from the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served for nearly 20 years, the last three as regional director of operations. Based in the Buffalo area, Tavernier oversaw over 200 staff members in multiple departments in that position.
“I’m honored to serve as Whitehall’s city manager and grateful to the mayor and council for their confidence," Tavernier said in the press release. "Whitehall is a vibrant, forward-looking community, and I’m excited to help make it a destination where both residents and businesses can thrive. I am eager to work with staff and the community to build on the city’s strong foundation.”
The special meeting included separate interviews with all four finalists - Tavernier, Robert Near, Adam Kline and Dustin Stambaugh.
Once the interviews were complete, the council deliberated over the finalists. Eventually, discussion focused on Tavernier and Near. The council appeared pleased with the possibility of either man filling the city manager role; council member Tanya Cabala said she was "just about tied" between the two.
As discussion continued and the council shared positives it saw in both candidates, Double Haul fielded a vote from the council on which candidate they ranked first, and Tavernier drew four votes to Near's three. A few moments later, the council made the resolution to offer Tavernier the position.
"Whitehall has always been home for me," Cabala said in the press release. "Now in my 14th year serving on the city council, I continue to care deeply about where we’ve been and where we’re headed. I’m excited to welcome our new city manager and to begin this next chapter together, building on what’s come before, continuing to serve the community I love."
Council member Scott Brown said during deliberation that he supported Tavernier in part due to his not being a local candidate. Near's local connections - he graduated from Shelby High School and now lives in Montague - were a point of interest for some on the council. Brown, however, felt the city needed fresh eyes and was against playing into what he feels is the city's reputation for being "a good old boys' club."
"I want a completely new slate," Brown said.
Prior to the final vote, there were discussions regarding the final negotiation process, including the hope the council has that Tavernier will choose to live in Whitehall. Brown noted the city charter includes a requirement that the city manager live in city limits, but Double Haul CEO Nate Geinzer pointed out state law does not allow public employers to dictate where its employees live, which supersedes the charter. However, the council could offer some sort of temporary living stipend to Tavernier as part of his compensation package to encourage him to seek residence in the city.
Council member Steve Sikkenga said one key factor he weighed when considering his choice of manager was his hope that the successful candidate would remain in Whitehall for a long time. Geinzer agreed with Sikkenga in principle, but did allow that any choice carried the risk that "he might kick so much butt" that larger municipalities would become interested in hiring him away.
Due to the council's selection of Double Haul's Strong Start program, the company will provide support to the city in the form of an onboarding plan, a goals and expectation setting workshop with the council and Tavernier, a performance check-in at six months, 12 months of executive coaching for Tavernier and a facilitated annual evaluation. Per the contract, the company will also provide its services again at no additional cost if Tavernier does not remain city manager for at least two years.
Once the choice was official, the council thanked Geinzer and Double Haul for their support during the process. Geinzer in turn said the council should congratulate itself for its work, saying it did well at each step.
