Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette Gail Kotajarvi-Gerard began her new positions Thursday Houghton treasurer and transit director.

HOUGHTON — Houghton City Clerk Ann Vollrath and Treasurer and Transit Director Jodi Reynolds both made their retirements official during the City Council’s meeting on April 9. The council appointed Amy Zawada city clerk and Gail Kotajarvi-Gerard treasurer/transit director.

Vollrath has worked for the city for 28 years, and Reynolds for more than 30 years. Their presence was greatly appreciated according to City Manager Eric Waara, who cited their familiarity with the institution to be beneficial during his introduction to his position.

“I am going to be forever grateful for the opportunity to work with them,” Waara said. “They are going to be missed, but the goal is to move onto the next stage of life. They provided the opportunity for the next generation’s roles to get off to the best possible start.”

The retirement of Vollrath and Reynolds has been known for some time and they have both been working the past nine months on making the transition as easy as possible. Zawada has worked for the city for 12 years in various positions, including community business development director. Zawada has shadowed Vollrath for two months in preparation for the position.

Kotajarvi-Gerard started in the assistant transit director position last year and has shadowed Reynolds’ work as treasurer.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with the great team the city has in place and to implementing some fresh ideas in the treasurer’s office and transit system,” Kotajarvi-Gerard said.

Zawada and Kotajarvi-Gerard officially began their new positions on Thursday. Waara said over the next couple of months the city’s employees will focus on getting Zawada and Kotajarvi-Gerard settled into the positions and paying attention to potential gaps in the work to determine job descriptions for more employee positions.

“We might make mistakes in the transition but we’re looking forward to the future,” Waara said. “We wish Ann and Jodi well in their deserved retirement. Without them here, my job would have been immensely harder without their institutional knowledge.”