Valentine resignation for end of year accepted

Birmingham City Commissioners on Monday, November 9, formally accepted city manager Joe Valentine's resignation, which he submitted on October 2, unanimously appointed police chief Mark Clemence as interim city manager designee, and appointed mayor pro tem Therese Longe and commissioner Rackeline Hoff to determine how the commission should recognize Valentine for his years of service at their meeting on Monday, November 9. Commissioners had previously discussed Valentine's resignation, notably in terms of how to proceed in filling the position. However, they had not formally accepted the resignation, and they unanimously did at their November 9 meeting, along with moving to appoint Clemence as the interim city manager designee if a city manager is not hired prior to Valentine leaving his position on December 31, 2020, or if there is a vacancy at any point. Hoff asked Clemence if he is interested in the position, and he responded, “At this stage of my life, I have three grown children and I have the gumption to take on a challenge like this, and I have staff support.” Clemence assured commissioners that the police department would be well prepared, with commander Scott Grewe in charge in his stead. “We have a plan of attack that in the near future we will share with the commission,” he said.