Seven months after Gary Mekjian's departure, the Farmington Hills City Council will meet Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 5:30 p.m. to select which City Manager candidates move to the interview stage.
The special meeting agenda lists four substantive items: a closed session to review confidential applications, selection of interview finalists, discussion of interview dates and logistics, and discussion of the City Manager employment agreement. That last item signals the council is moving beyond candidate selection toward the terms a new hire would sign.
The employment agreement discussion is a new addition that advances the process closer to a hire.
The closed session is authorized under Section 8(1)(f) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act, which allows a public body to shield applications when candidates request confidentiality. The council will return to open session immediately after.
Who's running the city now
Assistant City Manager Karen Mondora has served as acting city manager since Jan. 7, when the council voted 4-3 to accept Mekjian's resignation. Voting yes: council members Boleware, Bridges, Dwyer and Mayor Theresa Rich. Voting no: Aldred, Knol and Starkman.
The position has been vacant since then.
The city finalized a separation agreement with Mekjian at its Feb. 9 regular meeting.
How the search got here
The council agreed at a Feb. 23 study session to conduct a national search and hire an outside executive search firm through a competitive RFP process. Raftelis Financial Consultants was later selected, and Catherine Tuck Parrish of Raftelis presented the recruitment timeline at a June 8 study session.
Applications closed July 21, with a candidate review packet sent to council ahead of the Aug. 5 meeting. The posted salary range is $200,000 to $225,000. Candidates need a bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of municipal government experience, including five years as a city manager, assistant manager or department head in a comparably sized community.
The search firm's schedule calls for virtual semifinalist interviews with roughly five to six candidates between Aug. 24 and Sept. 4, followed by in-person finalist interviews with two to three candidates before the full council.
How residents can weigh in
Public comment is Item 8 on Wednesday's agenda, after the council completes its open-session business. The meeting is at City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, in the Community Room. Residents needing ADA accommodations should contact the City Clerk's Office at 248-871-2410 at least two business days in advance.
The city manages a general fund budget of approximately $90 million, according to Mayor Rich at the council's April 27 meeting, underscoring the weight of the hire. The next milestone after Wednesday: semifinalist interviews beginning Aug. 24.
