MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — Muskegon Heights city leaders called a special meeting Wednesday to sort things out after voting not to renew the contract for the current city manager.
But the four members who voted "no" failed to attend Wednesday's meeting. Without a quorum, the city council could not conduct official business.
So the meeting was discussion only, and no decisions were able to be made.
People in Muskegon Heights want to know what's next for the city, considering there is no one to take Bell's place in the interim. Right now, with a number of key vacancies within Muskegon Heights' local government, no one can fill Bell's role.
ORIGINAL STORY: Muskegon Heights left in limbo after city manager is voted out
Leaders, including the mayor, say major development projects are in the works. Those projects need a city manager's signature, according to the mayor.
Residents at Wednesday's meeting agreed: this is a make-or-break moment for the community.
FOX 17 stopped by the homes of every council member who voted against renewing Bell's contract to ask why they did so.
No one was available.
At Wednesday's meeting, however, Bell's list of accomplishments were front and center. Many at public comment spoke in favor of the now-former city manager.
At the meeting Wednesday, Bell talked about how a towing company worked with the police chief to start leasing a parking lot, a move that added income to the city's bottom line and stored impounded cars.
Things like the "Fight the Blight" campaign, as well as infrastructure upgrades to the city's roads, are some of the initiatives Bell's been heading up. Bell says he's also working with Grand Rapids water department to internally train staff and bring jobs to the city's water department.
However, sources tell FOX 17 that payroll will operate as expected— one welcome certainty, amidst so much confusion.
FOX 17 is told a second special meeting will be called Thursday night to discuss the future of Muskegon Heights.
