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Eastpointe City Council selects Brian Wood as preferred city manager; Ryan Mattis named alternate
Summary
After interviewing four finalists, the Eastpointe City Council voted Oct. 7 to authorize the city attorney to negotiate an employment agreement with Brian Wood as the preferred city manager candidate and to offer the job to Ryan Mattis if Wood declines.
The Eastpointe City Council on Oct. 7 authorized the city attorney to draft terms and make an offer to Brian Wood to become the city’s next city manager, with Ryan Mattis designated as the alternate candidate if Wood declines.
Vetrano Consulting, which led the recruitment, told the council that 39 people applied and four finalists were interviewed in person. The firm provided council members and department heads with written feedback from public and staff meetings prior to the vote.
Mayor Kleinfeld moved the offer to Wood, saying the candidate had “an infectious positive attitude” and strong responses in the interview. Council discussion emphasized two attributes that repeatedly differentiated the finalists: community engagement and leadership style. Several council members said they were persuaded by Wood’s resume and by feedback from department heads and residents who met the candidates before the interviews.
Councilmember Curley noted that both Wood and Mattis had “great qualities” and that Mattis’s energy and succinct answers were also appealing; the council voted to name Mattis as the second choice in case Wood was unavailable.
Councilmembers voted unanimously to authorize the city attorney to negotiate an employment agreement with Wood and to consult with council members on contract terms. In the meeting discussion councilmembers asked that the contract include a relocation and residency incentive and generally favored a three‑year term.
Officials outlined a previous residency incentive (a $10,000 in‑city bonus tied to a two‑year minimum) and discussed strengthening that incentive to encourage relocation to Eastpointe City; council asked the attorney to draft specific language. The final employment agreement and any formal hiring vote will return to council for approval.
The council’s action was procedural authorization to negotiate and does not constitute a final hiring vote. The city attorney will draft a contract consistent with council direction and return it to the council for final action.
