The City Commission voted to authorize a separation agreement and release with Elizabeth Vogel and then discussed options for an interim city manager, including asking City Clerk Benjamin Marantette if he would serve temporarily.
The motion to authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute the separation agreement and release with Elizabeth Vogel, subject to form approval by the city attorney and contingent on the seven-day revocation period in paragraph 3(e)(2), was brought before the commission and passed. The commission thanked Vogel for her service.
Commissioners and staff then spent the bulk of the meeting discussing interim leadership and the timeline for a permanent hire. Acting City Manager Deb Allen said last week marked her first year with the city and that she “believe[s] I can be most effective in the role of assistant city manager,” but indicated she would continue if the commission needed extra time. Commissioners debated whether to appoint an internal interim or run an external search. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Wilson said he preferred an internal appointment if possible and named City Clerk Benjamin Marantette as a potential interim to minimize disruption. Several commissioners and staff said an internal interim would be less disruptive because an internal candidate already understands the organization chart and daily operations.
Commissioners noted the city charter requires appointing someone to the city manager position within 90 days of a vacancy; staff clarified that an interim appointment would satisfy that requirement if the commission is actively working toward a permanent hire. The group discussed realistic timelines: one commissioner said a prior search began in April and did not conclude until late September, and that the current commission likely will not complete a full permanent hire before the November elections.
The commission gave staff direction—informal and without a formal motion—to contact Marantette this week to determine if he is willing to serve as interim, to have the deputy clerk fill any temporary clerk duties if Marantette accepts, and to present a plan to the commission at a future meeting. Commissioners also asked that staff solicit other internal volunteers and that the commission reflect on lessons learned from the last recruitment process to advise the incoming commission. No formal, binding timeline for the interim appointment was set during the meeting.
Discussion versus action in the meeting: the separation agreement was approved by vote; subsequent items were discussion and direction to staff and not formal appointments. Commissioners said the decision on a permanent hire would rest with the next commission after the election.
The commission scheduled follow-up conversation and a possible agenda item for the next meeting to report staff outreach results and any proposed interim appointment.