Morgantown City Council will hold two special meetings next week, kicking off the search for the city’s next chief administrator.
Outgoing City Manager Paul Brake participated in his final council meeting May 5 and will wrap up his three year, three month tenure in Morgantown on Thursday before moving on to Royal Oak, Mich.
Council will meet in executive session via teleconference at 11:30 a.m. Monday. The body will reconvene at 4 p.m. Tuesday to interview three recruitment firms — GovHR, The Novak Consulting Group and Strategic Government Resources Group.
The city hired GovHR for $22,000 in October 2016 to conduct the search that resulted in Brake’s hiring.
Communications Manager Andrew Stacy said the meeting will be televised on Channel 15 and the city’s web-streaming services.
It is estimated the search process will cost about $25,000 and, based on the proposals, will likely take anywhere from four to six months, Stacy said.
In the meantime, Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli will serve as the city’s interim city manager.
Stacy confirmed Thursday that Muzzarelli does not intend to apply for the city manager opening.
In other city personnel news, Brake and Muzzarelli plan to sit down with Deputy Chief Eric Powell of the Morgantown Police Department regarding the looming departure of Chief Ed Preston.
Preston, who’s led the department for just over nine years, alerted the city on April 23 that he intended to resign, effective June 30.
The announcement came days after the city asked its employees to consider taking reductions in pay or hours in an effort to help the city weather the financial impacts of COVID-19 without layoffs.
In his resignation letter, Preston asked that Powell be named chief upon his departure.
Brake said he intends to meet with Powell about an interim stint as chief. He also said the final decision about who ultimately replaces Preston should be left to the next city manager.
“I believe it’s important for that person to evaluate the culture of the police organization and identify the ideal qualities of the new chief law enforcement officials,” Brake said.
Lastly, changes are coming to many of the city’s administrative offices as council voted 6-1 to implement a one-year pilot program that will put them on a four-day work week.
Councilor Ron Dulaney voted in the minority after previously questioning the timing of such a change given the uncertainties COVID-19 has created for the city’s budget and personnel — many of whom are working from home.
According to a survey conducted by the city, 70% — 74 of 108 surveys returned — indicated support for the change.
Under the four-day schedule, facilities like city hall and 430 Spruce St. would be open from 7 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and closed on Friday.
The new schedule goes in effect July 4.
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