Cleveland Heights City Council was expected to receive a short list of candidates for the City Manager position at Monday's executive session of council.
Community Services Director Susanna Niermann O’Neil has served as interim city manager since Bob Downey's abrupt resignation in April and applied for the permanant position.
Novak Counculting Group was contracted late last year to search for a new city manager and was expected to give council a list of five or so candidates to review and interview.
"What I really want to find in a candidate is someone that understands, that appreciates and can work with our diversity in our city. But I also want someone who has a vision for the future as far as finances, as far as development, as far as youth issues, senior issues. I want the whole package," he said. "And somebody who the staff feels comfortable working for."
As mandated by city charter, Cleveland Heights City Council is in charge of selecting and hiring the City Manager. Kelley said that a decision could be made as early as April.
Can you please post the names of the candidates on the short list? Thank you.
Nikki, while you are correct, I believe they previously managed to communicate that Ms. Niermann O'Neil is on the short list. If I am correct, it would seem to be because making that info public is to the mayor and council's benefit. They should act in a consistent manner. And be called out for it when they don't. Which happens a lot.
----------- Mayor Ed Kelley reported that Novak Consulting Group, the search firm hired by city council to conduct the search for a new city manager, received 68 applications for the position. “Novak has reviewed their credentials and has selected 15 to examine further,” said Kelley. “Susanna [Niermann O’Neill] is one of the 15.” http://www.heightsobserver.org/read/2013/02/08/city-receives-68-applications-for-city-manager-position
I'm not aware of what Kelley said to the Observer - I learned that O'Neill was a candidate from her.