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Commission girdsfor second manager search

New players are expected in the renewed effort to fill the city manager's seat.

By ASHLEE CLARK
Published June 21, 2006

DUNEDIN - It wasn't Christmas, but city commissioners on Monday began making a wish list of what they wanted for their second search for a city manager.

A firm time line. Candidates with Florida experience. And a new consultant to help them find those applicants.

"It's time to start fresh," said commissioner Deborah Kynes, who at Monday's special meeting proposed reviewing the pool of consultants. "When I say start fresh, I mean start with a clean slate."

Consultants are scheduled to present proposals at the July 6 commission meeting. Four consulting firms have expressed interest in participating in the new search, said Maureen Freaney, acting city manager.

The initial search began six months ago and ended last Thursday when the pool of finalists had dwindled to two plus an alternate.

Freaney, who was a finalist for the job, accepted a job with Pinellas County as its director of human services. She was one of four finalists who ended up taking positions with other cities or governments.

The current consultant for the Dunedin search, Colin Baenziger of Colin Baenziger & Associates, announced Monday that the firm wouldn't submit a bid to lead the second search.

"We can make this easier for everyone," Baenziger said during a discussion about consultant costs. "We don't intend to propose again."

Baenziger said Tuesday that the search was "very emotional," which is common when there is an internal candidate.

"I was kind of in the middle of that emotion, whether I wanted to be or not," he said.

In the midst of the initial search in April, the commission hired Baenziger for $10,000. It was a decision made with some reservation after the commission learned that Mayor Bob Hackworth had spoken with Baenziger several times before hiring him.

Kynes said there should be ground rules regarding communication between the commissioners and the consultant.

"For me, part of the process involves direct dialogue with consultants," Vice Mayor Dave Eggers responded.

Also, the commission is scheduled on July 20 to discuss who will take over for Freaney as acting city manager after her last day on July 21.

Freaney said the city's leisure services director, Harry Gross, would be willing to step in until a permanent manager was hired.

"Mr. Gross is absolutely not interested in the job in a permanent capacity," Freaney said.

City Attorney John Hubbard said there must be a clear understanding that Gross will return to his previous position, since there are no provisions in the city charter for an interim or acting city manager.

"In this particular situation, you have to operate on honor and trust," he said.

Ashlee Clark can be reached at 445-4158 or aclark@sptimes.com.

[Last modified June 20, 2006, 22:17:15]