Commission approves search for new manager

The Sarasota City Commission has approved a $28,500 contract to start a national search for a new city manager.

Wellington-based Colin Baenziger & Associates will undertake the effort, at the recommendation of city of Sarasota Human Resources Director Kurt Hoverter.

The process will be watched closely by the commissioners, who made it clear during their regular meeting Tuesday that they hope to have strong community input. They also said they wanted the firm to look outside the proverbial city manager box.

“The consultant should engage in active recruiting, not a passive approach, where you only receive applications,” said Mayor Suzanne Atwell. “The consultant should not define his search to just experienced city managers, either.”

Vice Mayor Terry Turner and others agreed.

“We want to discover whether we are interested in a retired colonel or a retired businessman, as well,” Turner said.

Once a pool of applicants has been developed, a committee comprising 10 residents will help whittle the candidates to a group of finalists, who will be interviewed by both the commission and the public before a final decision is made.

Although the process is expected to take 90 days or longer, depending on how involved the public engagement becomes, commissioners made it clear they are more interested in the results than the time frame.

“I would prefer to see community input on what type of person they want,” said Commissioner Paul Caragiulo. “We’re not in any hurry to rush this process.”

Also during its regular meeting, the commission:

Accepted:
• A list of downtown projects that it will review further during a Feb. 28 budget workshop. Those projects include the following:
— $1.9 million in upgrades the Downtown Improvement District is willing to fund from Bayfront Avenue to Osprey Avenue, along with Palm Avenue upgrades for which the DID is willing to contribute $10,000.
— $224,000 in Palm Avenue streetscape efforts the City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, would fund.
— A First Street streetscape project from Pineapple Avenue to U.S. 41, costing $1.3 million.
— A roundabout at Main Street and Orange Avenue costing $1 million.

Agreed:
• To have city staff produce pension liability reports for the Feb. 28 budget workshop, which would allow the commission to review losses for the plans, moving forward and assuming a 6% portfolio return.
• To have city staff produce parking-meter program revenue reports for the budget workshop, showing cost estimates for continuing the meter program in 2013. The commission also wants to learn whether the city would operate its parking-enforcement program at a loss if the meters were terminated and downtown returned to its former situation, with signage indicating how long vehicles could remain in spaces without being ticketed.

Approved:
• A proposal to build a nine-hole disc golf course within Payne Park.