Supervisor plans to move ahead on hires
Recommendations for two key posts could come soon
When Frank Viviano took office as supervisor of Macomb Township in November 2020, he didn’t wait for 2021 to settle into his new job or start bringing change in Macomb Township.
He brought proposals to the Board of Trustees table at his first meeting on Nov. 24, 2020, including dissolving the controversial human resources director/legal counsel position. As the new year rolls forward, Viviano said he is aiming to move the township ahead, setting goals to accomplish as soon as January 2021.
“I want the residents to know their new full-time officials; we are actually working very well together. We are just as excited to make some progress in our com
munity as they are to have elected us. It is looking good. I am very, very optimistic. As soon as we can get past the pandemic so we can interact again, they will see a side of the township they have not seen in many years,” Viviano said.
On Nov. 24, a motion was made by Trustee Charles Oliver and seconded by Trustee Peter Lucido III dissolving the human resources director/legal counsel position. The board voted 5-1 for the motion, with Clerk Kristi Pozzi recused due to ongoing litigation and Trustee Nancy Nevers casting the only no vote. The township has an HR manager on staff to assist with HR matters until an HR director can be found. On Nov. 24, the board approved Viviano to initiate the recruitment process for a human resources director.
A position description for the human resources director job at macomb-mi. gov indicates that the job opened on Dec. 3 and has an approximate salary range of $92,000 to $110,000. The position closes at 4 p.m. Jan. 4. Education and experience requested includes a bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred. Five to eight years full-time progressively responsible experience in multiple phases of human resources is required, and three years
must be in a supervisory capacity. Michigan municipal government experience is preferred, and a law degree is considered desirable.
On Dec. 18, Viviano described the search as going well. Although he did not have an exact count of the applications, he estimated there were about 40 and he anticipated receiving more by early January.
“The HR specialist that we have in house, she has a stack of applications that is pretty significant,” Viviano said.
He estimated that interviews could take place in early January.
“The hope is that by the second meeting in January, I will have a recommendation to the board for a hire,” Viviano said.
On Nov. 24, the board also authorized the township purchasing specialist to execute a request for proposal (RFP) for a new township permanent legal counsel. The board further authorized the supervisor to hire interim legal counsel, specifically the Bodman firm, at an hourly rate no greater than $350 per hour. This was done with the stipulation that the Bodman firm will not be applying for the RFP to be the permanent counsel.
Viviano said on Dec. 18 that about 27 firms had downloaded the RFP.
“We are hoping for 20 plus or 30 plus applications for proposals that we can choose from,” Viviano said. “The review committee will go through them in early January and whittle it down to the top selections. I
hope by the last week in January, if all goes well I will have a recommendation to the board.”
On Nov. 24, Viviano announced that the supervisor’s office would begin accepting applications for the ethics board on Nov. 25. In October 2019, the township board approved an ethics ordinance, which included an ethics board to serve as an advisory body to interpret the ordinance. The supervisor’s office began accepting applications for the ethics board on Nov. 25, and the application window will close on Jan. 4, 2021. Viviano said that by Jan. 13 he may be able to present three candidates to the board.
Viviano said the ongoing pandemic offers an unprecedented set of challenges.
“Not only had I never been in politics previous to this, I started in the middle of a pandemic, which presented unique challenges,” Viviano said. “It has been tough on everybody, certainly. The restaurants, bars, service industries seem to have been hit the hardest economically.”
When he began his term, Viviano was quickly faced with a deluge of phone calls and emails from business owners with local employees. He understood that the balance between economic needs and health concerns was paramount, asking department heads to develop ways to help businesses that did not put public health at risk.
“We did a few things, like making sure the bars and restaurants can have outdoor dining, and made sure
it was easily extended,” Viviano said.
On Nov. 24, the Macomb Township Board of Trustees approved adopting a temporary sign ordinance, primarily to assist local businesses such as restaurants operating outdoors and drive-thru COVID-19 testing. The ordinance allows for COVID-19 related signs without a permit. It includes signs helping to notify the public about the status of a business or agency as it relates to new operating procedures due to COVID-19 restrictions. This could include signs indicating directions to a pick up location. The ordinance remains in place until March 31, 2021 or until the township deems it no longer needed.
On Nov. 24, the Macomb Township Board of Trustees approved a COVID-19 remote work policy. The policy was established in order for the township to be in compliance with guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and also references Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) emergency rules. The rules indicate that employers should only permit in person work when attendance is strictly required to perform the job. The policy establishes remote work procedures for township employees pursuant to the MIOSHA emergency rules.
Viviano said that the township is doing all it can internally to keep employees safe and keep the township open to the public for business.