HomeMy WebLinkAbout19-020 Adopting the Recommendations of the Community Task Force Related to Recruitment of a New City Manager Resolution 19-020
RESOLUTION NO. 19-020
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY
TASK FORCE RELATED TO THE RECRUITMENT OF A NEW CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend ("City") held approved Resolution No. 18-040
authorizing the Mayor to recommend a Community Task Force for appointment, and,
WHEREAS,the City Council appointed a 13-member task force to provide input on the
proposed profile for the materials related to the recruitment of a new City Manager; and;
WHEREAS,the Community Task Force held ten public meetings, conducted a
community survey, held a public conversation forum and facilitated other community outreach
efforts; and;
WHEREAS, the Community Task Force provided its recommendations to the City
Council at a Special Business Meeting on January 28, 2019; and;
WHEREAS,the City Council wishes to adopt the Community Task Force's
recommendations related to the Ideal City Manager Candidate/Opportunities for Strategic
Leadership and Public Process Next Steps in their entirety;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend as follows:
The City Council adopts the recommendations of the Community Task Force in
substantially the same form as at Exhibit A.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a special meeting
thereof, held this 04th day of February 2019.
Aebo °t S. 6ir isoo
Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form:
.. ...... ................................ -)mv,
Joanna Sanders, MMC Heidi :�N c a r ra od
City Clerk City Attorney
Resolution 19-020 Exhibit A
Page 1 of 2
Exhibit A
The Ideal Port Townsend City Manager Candidate
Port Townsend is a unique community populated with passionate people and a rich heritage of
activism and dynamic participation. The City welcomes the opportunity to work with the
successful candidate to effect change and enhance the community while preserving the traditions
and cultures"that make us who we are."
The ideal candidate will:
• Possess excellent communication skills with an open style and a strong ability to listen to
others.
• Be accessible and authentically engage with the community.
• Actively learn about and participate in the unparalleled Port Townsend culture.
• Manage complex systems and projects toward positive outcomes.
• Foster a positive, innovative and collaborative organizational culture that engages and
empowers employees.
• Promote collaboration and partnerships with all sectors of the community.
• Embrace values of integrity, transparency, honesty and respect to build the trust of the
community.
Opportunities for Strategic Leadership
Housing. Work with policy makers, community organizations, non-profits, businesses and
developers to create and implement strategies that increase access to suitable housing for all
residents.
Living-wage jobs. Collaborate with existing and potential employers as well as policy makers to
develop living-wage job opportunities for all sectors of the community.
Climate change. Provide local leadership on climate change issues facing the City, while
advocating to state and federal governments on behalf of the community.
Economy. Advocate, strengthen and further diversify the vibrant City economy based in
entrepreneurship that includes industry, trades, arts and tourism and provides a range of
educational opportunities.
Infrastructure. Enhance and preserve infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer, parks and
public facilities.
Resolution 19-020 Exhibit A
Page 2 of 2
Transportation. Advance polices and implementation strategies that enhance accessible
transportation options (ground and water) which prioritize walking, biking and transit.
Demographic diversity. Address the needs created by the City's high proportion of older
residents while continuing to attract young families to the community. Promote a culture that
includes income, ethnic and other forms of diversity.
Public Process Next Steps
The resounding feedback received regarding the next steps in the recruitment process is that
community members want to remain engaged. People want their voices and input to be
respected, honored and valued.
After extensive dialogue and public feedback, the Task Force recommends the following
principles:
• Foster public participation in ways that build good will, understanding, and future support
for the new City Manager;
• Ensure communication, process feedback loops, and transparency are applied so the
public is kept informed and aware of progress and next steps; and
• Build a shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Port Townsend's City
Manager
The Task Force recommends the following process-related next steps:
1) Develop Communication and Process Feedback Loops. Provide frequent community
updates on the recruitment and hiring process by utilizing local communication channels
such as newspapers, radio, City website, and City utility bill newsletter.
2) Educate and Build an Understanding of City Organizational Structure. Take this
opportunity to provide information to citizens on the role and responsibilities of the City
Manager, City Council, and the City organizational structure as a whole.
3) Continue to Involve the Community in the Process. Based on community input,
provide opportunities for public input on City Manager finalists.
4) Extend the Role of the Community Task Force. Appoint a subset of the City Manager
Recruitment Community Task Force to serve as part of an interview panel.