Published: May 20, 2008 12:41 am            

City, consultant to choose manager route

The Huntsville City Council and representatives from consultant company Arcus Public will meet today to determine which direction the council will go with the city manager search.

A work session will begin at 5 p.m. at City Hall.

Arcus, of Harrisburg, Pa., is expected to present councilmembers with a revised draft of the candidate profile.

The candidate profile, a document that provides potential candidates with an explanation of both the Huntsville community and the position the council is wanting to fill, caused concern among seven councilmembers who met during a special session last Tuesday.

A subcommittee appointed by the council, including Mayor J. Turner, Mayor Pro Tem Mac Woodward and councilmember Dalene Zender, held a conference call with Arcus representative to voice their concerns on Thursday afternoon.

According to Turner, it is up to Arcus to regain the trust of the council.

“At this point, it’s up to Arcus to rebuild the confidence of the council,” he said. “I think the important thing here is that the other councilmembers and I have an open mind about the situation. I would like to see this process be successful and continue.

“But on the other hand, it takes courage to come forward and say when something is not working. It’s easier to do nothing and hope that things get better. The council is not taking this situation lightly, because finding a city manager is one of the most important decision we will make, collectively as a council.

“If the meeting (tonight) is successful, we’ll move forward. If it is not successful, we will begin considering all of our options.”

During the regular session to begin at 6 p.m. after the work session, council will discuss and/or take action on the Arcus Public contract for services regarding the city manager search.

The regular session will also include canvassing votes of the May 10 election, administering of the oath of office to the four elected members of council and an reception for outgoing councilmembers Jack Choate and Mickey Evans.

The four newly elected councilmembers include incumbents Dalene Zender and Melissa Templeton-Mahaffey, and newcomers Lanny Ray and Charles Forbus.

The oath of office will be administered by Walker County Judge Danny Pierce.

During the regular session, the council will also discuss and/or possibly take action on:

• Proclamation 2008-20 Hurricane Awareness Week,

• Accept the bank depository agreement and service continuation with First National Bank,

• Acceptance of the donation of a 1979 Chevrolet truck from the Crabbs Prairie Volunteer Fire Department to be utilized by the Huntsville Fire Department Dive Team,

• Accept the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Gear Assistance Award for the purchase of eight sets of bunker gear at a total cost of $14,280 ($4,680 of which will be paid out of 101-552-52240, and $9,600 paid through the grant award,

• Proceeding with updating the Development Code through contract Change Order No. 3 with Kendig Keast Collaborative for an amount not to exceed $150,000,

• Release of a portion of the City's water Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) to Phelps Special Utility District (SUD) for the proposed Southwood Crossing subdivision,

• Request for extension of water and wastewater services to Huntsville State Park,

• Strategic Plan FY09 update,

• Fee implementation recommendation for use of City Hall

Conference Room.

        

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