LAKEPORT — At its Tuesday night meeting the Lakeport City Council took another step toward filling its vacant city manager position.
Following the retirement of former City Manager Randy Johnsen in late June, the council first took action by appointing Community Development Director Richard Knoll to act as interim city manager.
On Tuesday, the council agreed to recommend the executive search firm of Bob Murray & Associates to conduct the executive recruitment for a new city manager.
Further discussion beyond appointing Knoll as interim city manager was delayed from the July 18 meeting because a full council was not in attendance. Action regarding the short- and long-term city management options was delayed at the Aug. 1 meeting for the same reason.
Search firm president Bob Murray served as a city manager for the city of Olympia, Wash. prior to his career in executive search. Murray also has served as an assistant city manager in Walnut Creek, and held positions in law enforcement.
Murray”s firm has placed city managers in Elk Grove, Half Moon Bay, Mill Valley, Novato, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. Currently the firm is conducting city manager recruitments for Oceanside, Red Bluff and Chula Vista.
Murray said on Wednesday that he had just received a call from Knoll saying that his firm had been selected. “The next step is to talk to the city”s attorney and I am waiting for his call.”
In 2000 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 807, which established the city council manager form of local government.
During public comment Tuesday, Lakeport resident Charles Jolin said, “We are looking at a considerable time delay if we proceed in this search.”
Jolin suggested hiring Knoll and elevating city planner Andrew Britton to the Community Developoment director spot.
“Bureaucracies are designed to move ahead with parts missing,” said Councilman Bob Rumfelt in response to Jolin”s suggestion. “If Richard is interested in becoming the city manager he can file an application like everyone else.”
Mayor Ted Madrones said that he supported using the search firm but that Knoll is going to be an applicant.
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
