Commission reviews vacancy report, plans April 14 recruitment open house

The General Council Commission heard a vacancy report on March 12 and was briefed on a series of recruitment efforts including a statewide truck‑driver hiring push and an April 14 open house at the recreation center to showcase equipment and attract candidates.

Director Richardson said the truck‑driver recruitment flyer would be distributed statewide after a QR‑code fix; the city will launch the recruitment externally on March 13 and host an in‑person open house April 14 so prospective applicants can see public‑works trucks and better understand job duties. Richardson said there were no internal applicants for the truck‑driver posting and that the city will run grassroots outreach and social media advertising in addition to the event.

Commissioners discussed eligibility lists and hiring timelines. Richardson explained that eligibility lists are typically valid for one year and may be extended one additional year by the mayor; there is no list older than two years. She outlined the planned composition of interview panels (the mayor, chief of staff, council representatives and an acting director, with a moderator) and said conditional offers and testing dates are pending for specific positions, including a conditional offer sent for the public works chief engineer role.

The commission was also told that the manager of recreation position had been filled by Bonnie Daley from the youth service bureau and that eligibility lists had been finalized for police promotion ranks. Commissioners agreed to monitor which positions the mayor ultimately approves for filling or delay as budget and mayoral recommendations are finalized.

The city will report back to the commission as recruitment steps progress and when interview panels and testing dates are confirmed.