Council directs staff to pursue executive search and forms ad hoc committee to define recruitment process

Following the April departure of the prior city manager, the council directed staff to pursue an executive recruitment firm to conduct a national search for a permanent city manager. Lydia Flores Hernandez, human resources director, presented two options — an internal recruitment led by HR, or an external executive search firm — and estimated typical executive search fees of $25,000–$60,000 and a 3–6 month timeline. The council voted unanimously to move forward with an executive search firm.

Council then asked how the recruitment vendor would be selected. Members discussed whether the full council should interview recruitment firms or whether to delegate initial screening to an ad hoc committee. The council agreed to appoint a two-member ad hoc committee to develop a process and return with recommendations on firm selection and the firm scope; the mayor indicated he would serve on the subcommittee and Councilmember Rodriguez agreed to serve as the second member. Staff said it would present a proposed timeline and firm list for committee interviews.

Councilmembers emphasized transparency in the search process and expressed interest in a clear written process (scope of services, firm interviews, and candidate-selection steps). The council did not select a recruitment firm at the meeting; it directed staff and the ad hoc subcommittee to return with a proposed process and recommended firms for council consideration.