PORT TOWNSEND — City officials have started the process of finding a replacement for David Timmons, the first and only city manager Port Townsend has had.
The next step in the process will be a “public conversation” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Cotton Building, 607 Water St.
The position is expected to be advertised beginning early next year. There are no plans to use an executive search firm.
Timmons began his job in 1999 when the city changed to its current form of government. His retirement was to be effective at the end of this year, but he was asked to stay on until June 2019 to help with ongoing projects and to create a smooth transition to his successor.
To begin the process, Mayor Deborah Stinson was charged in August with appointing a Community Task Force to develop a profile for the next city manager. It was important to the council that the process be a public one and that the committee be composed of a wide range of residents, both in age and experience.
Stinson tapped Catharine Robinson — a former member of the City Council who was elected in 2000 — as task force chair. While on the City Council, she served as both deputy mayor and mayor. Her term expired in 2017.
Other members of the committee include Jean Camfield, John Collins, John Nowak, Kris Morris, Liesl Slabaugh, Malcom Dorn, Ned Herbert, Norm Tonina, Samantha Thomas, Sarah Rubenstein, Siobhan Canty and Tim Caldwell.
Robinson said the group’s focus is to define “the who that does the what” and engage the public in the process.
“We’re looking to identify the characteristics that will help us identify the right person,” Robinson said. “We’re looking at the skills and experiences necessary for the role.”
She said the group wants input from the community to help develop the profile for the ideal candidate, and that information will be used in the recruitment process.
Stinson said the process began with the council taking a long-term look at what lies ahead for the city.
“We started by working on our strategic plan that goes out several years,” Stinson said. “We wanted to see what projects were going to be coming along and what experience will be needed to make the new manager successful in the role.”
“The citizens’ group is a true cross section of our residents who will add their unique perspectives,” she said.
An online City Manager Recruitment Survey can be found at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FLWXT26.
Survey questions include defining issues facing the city, identifying leadership qualities, and the types of interactions that should exist between residents and the city manager.
In addition, email blasts will be sent to groups to remind them to fill out the survey. A postal mailing will be done to all residents that includes the survey as well.
The deadline for survey responses is Dec. 14.
After Thursday’s meeting, public comments will be combined with the survey responses and presented to the City Council.
Stinson said once accepted, the next phase of the recruitment plan will be crafting announcement materials and getting them out to prospects.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
