Council forms ad-hoc committee, seeks public input for permanent city manager search

The council opened a multi-hour discussion on how to conduct a permanent city manager search and invited public comment on priorities for the role. Multiple residents recommended interviewing local candidates and holding a town hall; others urged a committee approach that includes staff interviews and the option to hire an executive search firm to assist vetting.

Council members discussed pros and cons of citizen panels, executive search firms and whether public members should participate in early interviews (some councilors warned that public participation can discourage candidates who need anonymity). Several councilors proposed forming an ad‑hoc committee to begin the work and to return with options for the full council. Council member S10 moved to appoint the mayor and Council Member Bridal to the ad‑hoc search committee; the motion passed, and the committee was asked to schedule a town hall and return regular check‑ins to Council.

Council members emphasized creating a clear opportunity profile and prioritizing a short list of top tasks for the new manager. Suggestions included interviewing staff to evaluate organizational culture, asking for candidate presentations to the public at the finalist stage, and offering targeted incentive pay for completing priority projects if legally permissible.