City Manager Resigns, Pleads Not Guilty

Traverse City Manager Jered Ottenwess tendered his resignation to the city Friday shortly after appearing in 86th District Court to plead not guilty to two counts of domestic violence and two counts of attempting to assault a police officer.

At Ottenwess’ court appearance, Judge Michael Stepka set bail at $5,000 and prohibited the defendant from having any contact with his wife, children or mother. Ottenwess is accused of drunkenly assaulting his wife and mother in a February 16 incident that resulted in additional allegations the city manager – who was brought to Munson Medical Center with a .395 blood alcohol content – verbally abused and threatened to kill city police officers, tried to bite an officer and had to be physically restrained in a hospital bed. Ottenwess has since been in custody at a residential treatment center in Grand Rapids, where he will remain until his next court hearing date on March 5 at 9am.

In a resignation letter sent to city commissioners Friday, Ottenwess wrote:

"I hereby resign from my position as City of Traverse City, City Manager, effective immediately with the condition that I receive severance compensation pursuant to paragraph 5(b) in my Employment Agreement. The city will provide the equivalent of 90 calendar days of pay and 90 calendar days of health and dental premiums for policies in effect at the time of this resignation. These severance terms commence upon my resignation being accepted.

In return of the foregoing, I hereby relieve and discharge the City of Traverse City from its obligations, if any, under the May 30, 2013, Employment Agreement of City Manager and agree to sign a waiver and release of any claim that I may have against the City of Traverse City. Further, the City of Traverse City hereby discharges the City Manager of any duties or obligations under said contract and is willing to sign a waiver and release of any claims that it may have against me.

I respectfully ask that the commission discuss the terms and conditions of my resignation in closed session. Jered Ottenwess."

Four affirmative votes will be required of city commissioners to accept Ottenwess’ resignation effective immediately, while five affirmative votes will be required to approve his severance compensation request. City commissioners will discuss both issues, most likely in closed session, at Monday night’s commission meeting at 7pm at the Governmental Center.