Ortonville? Village Manager Paul Zelenak could be the next Bloomfield Hills city manager’the decision however is contingent on several factors.
First Alex Allie, current Huntington Woods city manager must decline the same Bloomfield Hills offer, say city officials.
Bloomfield Hills Mayor Michael Zambricki called Zelenak in January, encouraging him to apply for the position, open since December. Zelenak submitted his resume and had two interviews with city commission members, the first in February. The last discussion was March 22. That night, the city commission voted to offer the position to Allie. If he declines the position will be offered to Zelenak.
Discussions with the 15-year Huntington Woods city manager are on hold because Zambricki is on vacation. He will return April 4 .
‘There are some details that still need to be worked out,? said Allie on March 29. ‘No one likes to make that sort of commitment until everything is in place. A week from today I should know.?
Allie said the Huntington Woods community is encouraging him to stay. He has had no problems and was not actively looking to leave Huntington Woods.
Bloomfield Hills has a population of about 3,940 and is located 27 miles south of Ortonville, which has a population of about 1,200.
Zelenak says he was not looking to leave his community either, but when offered the job, which comes with a salary range of $75,000-$97,000, he had to consider it.
‘It’s a tremendous opportunity and it would be difficult to not at least consider it,? he said. ‘I appreciated being interviewed. It was flattering that another municipality was interested in me as a city manager for their community.?
Zelenak, Ortonville village manager since October 2001, added that the salary would represent a ‘substantial raise? for him and he believes most people would take a look at a position that pays close to $100,000.
Zelenak, 42, received a 6 percent salary increase in January given by the village council after he was offered the position of Holly village manager, which he ultimately declined.
Despite the disscussion with Bloomfield Hills, Zelenak emphasizes that he is not actively looking for another job.
‘I’m happy here in the village of Ortonville,? he said.