Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Manager Recruitment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances recommended community interview panelists for city manager search
Summary
The Operational Strategy and Administrative Committee asked Human Resources to draft a finalized list of primary interview panelists and alternates for the city manager recruitment and to forward that list to the full council for approval on Feb. 3; the motion passed by voice vote.
The Operational Strategy and Administrative Committee directed Human Resources on Jan. 29 to draft a finalized list of primary community interview panelists and alternates for the city manager recruitment and forward it to the full City Council for approval on Feb. 3.
Chair Peter Erickson framed the meeting as a working session focused solely on the city manager recruitment and VOSAC’s recommendations: "Our sole agenda item today is the city manager recruitment," he said, asking Human Resources to lead the compilation of nominations.
Cheryl Biddleman, representing Human Resources, outlined the proposed process: committee members would each submit five recommended community panelists, HR would compile duplicates and use standard hiring practices to produce a list that preserves sector and geographic balance, and the final list would be presented to council at the Feb. 3 study session. "HR will use your input to compile the list," Biddleman said, and HR staff cautioned that some nominees might be unavailable and that alternates would help ensure panel composition.
Committee members emphasized two selection criteria throughout the discussion: ensuring a youth voice on the interview panels and prioritizing nominees who live, work, or have strong ties to Tacoma. Members proposed nominees intended to represent a range of sectors and neighborhoods, including nonprofit leaders, housing advocates, arts and culture representatives, workforce and business voices, and a youth representative. Names put forward included Nathan Lauber; Andrea Ray (Washington Hospitality Association); Jason Gauthier; Lua Pritchard (Asia Pacific Cultural Center); Dr. Anna Jensen; Dr. Lin Xu; Emily Hall; Katie Condon; Jasmine Jefferson; Tifana Irvin; Sally Perkins; Brian Flint; Carol Mitchell; Nick Carr; Greg Christiansen; and Elizabeth Bondright, among others.
The committee discussed panel logistics, with HR noting that interview panels typically include about eight to 10 members and advising the committee to identify alternates. Members agreed on a primary list of about 20 names and a small pool of alternates; the chair recapped the assembled primaries and alternates before the formal motion.
A committee member moved that Human Resources and staff draft a finalized list of names for panelists, including primary panelists and alternates, and forward that list to the full council for approval on Feb. 3. The motion was seconded, taken by voice vote and passed with ayes.
Peter Erickson asked that the list be included in the council packet so the public can see the proposed panelists. The committee adjourned after confirming next steps and thanking members for their recommendations.
