City Council Gets Advice from Former City Manager

by Timothy W. Scee II
Special to Newzjunky.com
Published February 8, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  With the announcement of City Manager Mary M. Corriveau’s retirement Monday, the City Council has taken its first steps in learning more about the hiring process for interim and full-time replacements. 

Former Ogdensburg City Manager Jon C. Krol, who offered the City Council recommendations based on his experiences working as head of several municipalities throughout the state, offered suggestions to aid the search process.

“I’m here at the mayor’s invitation basically as a resource,” he told council members. “Several different times I’ve been able to experience different methods that other communities used.”

Mr. Krol said the City Council should first look within the current city staff, particularly in the planning or engineering departments, because those who typically have experience with sidewalks or zoning could have a better understanding of city program implementations. 

“That’s the guy that’s going to know how to get a sewer system going properly and lay it out through the roads and all that,” Mr. Krohl said. 

To prevent a “psychological burn” on a potential interim manager, Mr. Krol said the City Council should note up front whether the temporary candidate could be offered a full time position.

Having served once as a planning director, city manager and city engineer all at the same time while there was an open city staff position he desired to fill, Mr. Krol said he was “really burned” when he didn’t get the job.

Although he said a candidate should be from New York State, Mr. Krol noted the “pool” of city manager applicants would likely be smaller than in states like California or Florida. 

“The North Country is a tough sell,” Mr. Krol said, noting a six-figure salary would suffice if it remained in place. 

He added, “Most interims are going to be internal.”

Council members also seemed to disagree on whether they should be responsible for composing a job description and requirements.

“I don’t think any of us are qualified to just make up a job description,” Councilwoman Teresa R. Macaluso said. “That’s beyond our realm of expertise.”

“We do the search, we do the work, we write the job description,” Councilman Joseph M. Butler Jr., said. “I think it’s our primary responsibility.”

“By the time you two get done with it, there will be a three or four-page job description,” Ms. Macaluso said, addressing Mr. Butler and Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith. “Quite honestly, I don’t want any back room discussions. I think we need somebody on the outside who’s going to be be more objective at all times.”

Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham said he would like to see one person, a facilitator, to help draft advertisements and aid the council in the screening process. 

“I don’t consider myself a headhunter but if I’m going to be involved in this, I’m not above saying I need some help on it,” Mr. Graham said. 

Although no official search method was confirmed, the City Council is expecting a proposal sometime later this week from Mr. Krohl.

Have a story idea? E-mail newzjunky@gmail.com 

Interested in advertising on Newzjunky? Yes.          Follow Newzjunky.com on Twitter.


© 2011 Newzjunky, Inc.   
The information you receive online from Newzjunky, Inc., 
is protected by the copyright laws of the United States.

Interested in ad space here?
Contact us