The search continues

At this Thursday’s City Council meeting, the City Manager Search Advisory Task Force is scheduled to talk about its process and whether, among other things, it will have an opportunity to interview the final candidates for the job. Though a vote on all that is likely to be put off due to Mayor Steve Adler’s absence, he has suggested that the profile to find a candidate include a new paragraph. This one, to be precise: “Effectiveness in the position will require the City Manager to possess the ability, confidence, management skills, and willingness to foster and encourage an open and collaborative working relationship between the Manager and City staff with the Mayor and City Council Members based on trust, openness and the appropriately free flow of information and political and policy advice. With a clear understanding of the distinct responsibilities that fall to the Manager, the City staff, the Mayor, and the City Council Members, as well as the realization that there is a large area of matters that are both policy and management in nature or elements, the City Manager will need to build a staff culture that supports such a working relationship. It is important the City Manager appreciates the value of and utilizes the political and practical expertise that are brought to the table by the Mayor and Council Members, just as the Mayor and Council Members must appreciate and utilize the management and urban expertise the City Manager and City staff bring.”