By Holly Green
Staff Reporter
May 12, 2008 10:52 pm
—
The Huntsville City Council is scheduled to meet for a special session today to discuss and possibly take action after reviewing a draft of the candidate profile compiled by consultant company Arcus Public of Harrisburg, Pa.
Councilmembers will meet at City Hall at 5 p.m.
There were mixed opinions among the nine-member council about the Arcus interviews that took place in late April. Councilmembers met with Arcus executive recruiter Ben Allatt and vice president Scott Reilly.
Several councilmembers expressed their thoughts during a work session at the council’s last meeting on May 6.
“I was very satisfied with the interview,” said councilmember Mac Woodward. “I expressed the traits and experience that I was looking for and they seemed very attentive to that. (The candidate profile) is a completely different approach to the (city manager search) process that I hadn’t even thought about before.
“I’m interested to see the profile that compiles all our thoughts together.”
Councilmember Dalene Zender had a different experience.
“I was extremely disappointed,” she said. “I was able to express my thoughts to them but felt that they were disorganized ... and unprofessional.
“I feel like I lack some confidence after that interview, but I’m glad to hear that some of you had a good experience. I’m curious to see the profile. I’m not sure it’s going to be what we’re looking for, but I guess we’ll see what shakes out.”
Councilmembers also had concerns about possible Arcus management changes that could impact Reilly’s commitment to the project.
The candidate profile, which defines desired qualities and expectations, will serve as a foundation upon which Arcus will use to build a candidate pool for the council.
Each councilmember was interviewed, including newly elected councilmembers Lanny Ray and Charles Forbus.
Mayor J. Turner said the session will allow the council a chance to review the candidate profile for the city manager position and decide whether is reflects a holistic view in regards to the needs of the City of Huntsville.
“It’s important that we make sure we are happy with the profile before we go and start looking for a new manager,” he said. “It will help us to save time and move forward in the process.”
If the candidate profile meets the expectations of council and is approved, Arcus is expected to begin sifting its database to create a talent pool of ideal individuals who fit the Huntsville mold.
“Recruiters may even go out looking for potential candidates,” Turner said. “They will come back to us with a talent pool and from there, the council will narrow down that pool to who we want to interview to make our selection.”
Turner said this process is expected to be completed by late June or July.
Two internal candidates with the City of Huntsville will also be included in the interview stage.
Arcus’ services also include complete background checks for all applicants.
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