HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 460-07
CMR: 460:07 Page 1 of 2
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office
DATE: December 10, 2007 CMR: 460:07
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ENGAGE EXECUTIVE
RECRUITING FIRM FOR CITY MANAGER SEARCH AND
DIRECTION TO RETURN WITH BUDGET AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE FOR $30,000
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council review the proposed elements for a solicitation for a
executive recruiting firm to conduct a search for a new city manager, provide direction on the
proposed process and authorize staff to issue the e mail solicitation. Staff also recommends
Council directs staff to return with a Budget Amendment Ordinance for $30,000 for the City
Council budget.
DISCUSSION
On November 27, 2007, City Manager Frank Benest announced his retirement, effective June 30,
2007. Executive recruitments can be anticipated to take 4-6 months so staff proposes to begin
the process immediately to engage an executive recruiter.
The City of Menlo Park recently completed a recruitment for a new city manager, as did the City
of Redwood City. Redwood City used an informal process for engaging a recruiter and was not
able to provide a document for use, but Menlo Park utilized an email solicitation process. Using
that as a model, staff has prepared a working draft for the solicitation using an e mail process,
summarized below:
The City of Palo Alto is seeking proposals for executive search services to hire a new city
manager. The City’s current city manager will be retiring, effective June 30, 2008. The City
Council is interested in conducting and completing a full search as quickly as possible, in
order to allow the new manager to have two weeks of transition time with the current city
manager.
Please submit a proposal by January 14, 2007 to Emily Harrison, Assistant City Manager.
Earlier proposals will be greatly appreciated. Emailed proposals are acceptable and, in
fact, preferred. In your proposal, please cover the following items:
1. Outline of proposed process and timeline. Included in this outline, please be sure to
note: a) specific options for when/how to gather input on the key attributes desirable
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for Palo Alto’s new manager from the City Council, the executive staff and the
public; and b) a summary of your firms’ understanding of the City Manager hiring
market and your firm’s approach and strengths in identifying candidates.
2. Summary of the services your firm will provide and what assistance you would expect
from the City staff.
3. Cost of proposed services.
4. Qualifications of your firm and the lead recruiter who will be working on the Palo
Alto recruitment.
5. Your availability to participate in interviews with (Council Committee/Council
Subcommittee) in late January (date to be determined).
6. Anything else you feel would be relevant for us to consider.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Assistant City Manager Emily
Harrison – contact information provided).
Staff would solicit Council’s direction on the following:
• Whether interviews of potential executive recruiters would be conducted by the full
Council or a Council Subcommittee such as the Council/Council Appointed Officers
Committee;
• Any other key elements that should be included in the final scope of work for the
executive recruiting firm.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The City Council’s budget does not include resources for this contract. Staff will return with a
Budget Amendment ordinance for $30,000. This amount was based on recent City Manager
recruitments in Redwood City and Menlo Park.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This recommendation is consistent with prior Council policy of using an executive recruiter for
Council Appointed Office recruitments.
RESPECTFULLY
SUBMITTED ______________________________________
Emily Harrison, Assistant City Manager