During a regular city council meeting on June 22, 2021 at closed session, G. Harold Duffey submitted his letter of resignation from his position as Grand Terrace City Manager and it was announced that Duffey’s last day is July 20, 2021. Duffey has accepted a new employment position to be the new Public Works Director for the city of Oakland, CA effective July 26, 2021.
To help with the transition and selection of a new city manager, Duffey reached out to various executive recruitment search firms to manage the recruitment for a new city manager. Nearly a month later during the next regular city council meeting on July 13, Duffey presented his top three qualified firms: Bob Murray and Associates, Peckham and McKenney and Ralph Anderson and Associates.
During the discussion, Duffey addressed the council and let them know that Fred Wilson, a representative from Ralph Anderson and Associates was in attendance and willing to answer any questions of the council and that the other two firms, Bob Murray and Associates and Peckham and McKenney were invited to join virtually, but did not join the meeting.
After several questions and answers from the representative, Grand Terrace City Council awarded Ralph Anderson and Associates with the recruitment search to manage the recruitment for a new City Manager.
Funding for this proposal totals are not to exceed the amount of $29,000, including expenses. If approved, an expense appropriation from the General Fund’s fund balance will be allocated to the City Manager’s professional services account, according to the City. Wilson mentioned that the whole process would take 4 months realistically from start to finish.
Council then appointed current Director of Planning and Development Services Steve Weiss to become acting City Manager for the period from July 21st through the tentative contract start date of July 28th.
During, the council meeting on July 13, Duffey presented the total cost comparison between the three firms which were:
Bob Murray and Associates: $25,000
Peckham and McKenney: $28,000
Ralph Anderson and Associates: $25,000
At that time, the council invited Ralph Anderson and Associates representative, Fred Wilson to the podium and asked several various questions about how the search process would go.
“I think there are good opportunities out there. I think many candidates look for certain cities that have that stability, that offer challenges and I think Grand Terrace is a city that offers that, so I think you will get some good applicants for this recruitment,” Wilson said in response to Mayor McNaboe’s question of whether he believes there is an opportunity to find a city manager at this time or if it is that no one is looking.
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Hussey also had questions for the representative asking, “if we hire you and we don’t like the city manager, do we get our money back?”
“What you get is a guarantee that we will find you someone that’s going to work for you,” Wilson answered. “So you have our commitment that, if for some reason, he or she doesn’t work out, we will work with you within the same contract to find someone who will.”
Both Mayor McNaboe and Mayor Pro Tem Hussey had concerns about whether or not Ralph Anderson and Associates would be able to successfully find a city manager who will remain employed with the City of Grand Terrace for a long period of time. Mayor McNaboe referenced two examples of two different cities that the firm helped find a new city administrator and both individuals only stayed in that employment for two years.
“Often times, sometimes elections change things and they make up the city councils and often times that results in a turnover in your city or your city manager,” Wilson said in response to the Mayor’s concerns.
“Many times what we deal with are after election cycles; there’s just a turn over because councils want a change so that’s hard to predict in this profession.”
After no further questions from the council and after no public comment, the council moved into a consideration of a motion and deliberation.
Councilmember Jeff Allen was the first to announce his motion to select the proposal from Ralph Anderson and Associates commenting that “I am particularly impressed that this company sent a representative to this in person and so I will support that.”
Mayor Pro Tem Hussey seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Thusly the Grand Terrace City Council awarded Ralph Anderson and Associates with the recruitment search to manage the recruitment for a new City Manager.
Wilson thanked the council and mentioned that he looks forward to working with the city council in this endeavor.
“Thank you Mr Wilson,” Mayor McNaboe replied. “I look forward working with you; I appreciate you being here tonight.”
The council moved into a closed session to further discuss four key topics, one of which was the decision to appoint current Director of Planning and Development Services Steve Weiss to become acting City Manager for the period from July 21st through the tentative contract start date of July 28th. The Mayor also stated that during his role of acting manager, Weiss’ salary will be increased to match the salary of the city manager and will return to his normal pay at the end of his acting role.
During the June 22 meeting when Duffey submitted his resignation, Mayor Darcy McNaboe stated that the council had accepted Duffey’s resignation and noted jokingly that the council did not ask for his resignation but nevertheless had to accept it. Councilmember Sylvia Robles made comment that council accepted Duffey’s resignation, “because he accepted employment somewhere else.”
Duffey has accepted a new employment position to be the new Public Works Director for the Oakland, CA effective July 26, 2021.
"I'm very excited to be joining the City of Oakland’s Executive Team,” said Duffey in a City of Oakland press release. “The men and women of the Public Works Department deliver quality services to residents that support and enhance the quality of life in the community. Oakland is a great community and the recent actions to provide additional financial support to further expand services shows a commitment to maintaining, expanding, and delivering quality services. My commitment to City staff is to ensure employees are trained, provided clear direction, given the tools needed to accomplish a job, and acknowledged for a job well done.”
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