SEQUIM – The Sequim City Council will host a special meeting tonight to review the recruitment profile submitted today by search firm CEO Colin Baenziger, hired to assist in the search of a new City Manager.
The profile was created to inform prospective candidates before they apply. Think of it as part sales pitch, part job description and part “heads up” in terms of describing the challenges they’ll face if they’re hired by the City Council.
The 10-page document is considered a draft of whatever the council decides they would like it to be before it’s distributed throughout the country. Councilmembers have unlimited power to redline the profile or add to it.
That process could have been performed in a closed format away from the public eye, but the Council decided to review it in a virtual public meeting, which will take place tonight. Mayor William Armacost announced earlier this week that public comment would be allowed, with a maximum of 10 speakers on a 3-minute timer.
In terms of challenges, Baenziger’s profile points to the extremely divisive MAT clinic issue, and reads, in part: “The first and foremost challenge will be bringing the community together.”
Baenziger explains that groups formed on both sides of the issue and he writes, “…it became personal. Allegations have been made about motives and lack of transparency. Some blamed the Council while others blamed the staff for the situation. Both have experienced significant hostility. The termination of the most recent…City Manager added to the divide.”
The profile ends with a 14-paragraph description of the ideal candidate, which Baenziger created after lengthy conversations with Council members and staff.
Read the entire draft by clicking here.
To join the virtual meeting, which starts at 6:00pm, click here.