Cleveland Heights Council to Review Short List of City Manager Candidates

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.