Greeley council sets interview process for Ward 1 vacancy and moves to executive session on city manager appointment

City staff presented a timetable and format for filling the Ward 1 council vacancy at the April work session. Heidi Leatherwood told council that 15 applications were received and 13 met residency and deadline requirements. Staff proposed a public panel interview format: council would score all applicants using a shared rubric to produce a shortlist of five finalists, conduct panel interviews on May 5 with two core questions and limited follow‑ups, and make a formal appointment at the May 19 meeting with committee assignments and orientation to follow.

Council discussed practical details including interview length, whether follow‑up questions would be allowed, how to ensure fairness, and whether to start the May 5 meeting earlier to accommodate the interview block. Members agreed to submit rankings to staff to produce the shortlist and to use consistent questions drawn from the 2018 format; Heidi Leatherwood said staff would circulate the rubric and candidate list and attempt to notify finalists in time for the May 5 panel.

At the end of the public session, Council member Debuti moved and Council member Rudy seconded a motion to enter executive session to discuss employment matters relating to appointment of a city manager. The roll call vote was recorded as Aye by Council Member Debuti, Mayor Pro Tem, Council Member Olson, Council Member Rudy, Council Member Roth and Mayor (motion carried 6–0). The council entered the executive session at 8:28 p.m.; the meeting was adjourned to the executive room and no further public action was taken in open session that night.