The East Palo Alto City Council Tuesday night will review proposals from four recruitment firms, one of which will undertake the process of finding the city an interim city manager.
Outgoing City Manager Magda Gonzalez officially left the city for the same post in Half Moon Bay after her contract ended Sept. 1.
The city has received proposals from firms Koff & Associates, Mathis Group, Bob Murray & Associates and CPS HR Consulting. Staff has recommended that the council sign off on an agreement that will cost no more than $24,450 for the recruitment process and provide direction to staff on the next steps for selecting a firm.
The selected firm will be searching for an interim city manager, rather than a permanent one, Powell said Tuesday. The council will also be interviewing four candidates for the position on Sept. 9.
Assistant City Manager Barbara Powell is serving as interim city manager until the city hires a replacement. Her temporary assignment will also be approved at Tuesday night’s meeting. She will receive the same pay and benefits as she does in her position as assistant city manager.
Gonzalez’s two-year term in East Palo Alto was marred by community uproar over a controversial audit of the city’s Rent Stabilization Board that she commissioned. In July, a tenants’ rights group called for her replacement after the group reviewed more than 3,000 public documents related to her communications regarding the rent program. Days later, at the July 15 City Council meeting, City Attorney John Nagel said the council was set to discuss hiring a recruitment professional to find another city manager.
The City Council will meet Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto. View the full agenda here.
24,450 $ . Not bad, not bad. How much will cost next project ?