Criteria set in search for next city manager

By this November, the City of Tecumseh could have a new and permanent city manager. Monday started a seven-step process with the Michigan Municipal League (MML) to find a new city manager. Tecumseh City Council met with Joyce Parker and Jessica Reed from the MML to discuss the criteria for the city’s next manager. Also discussed was the timeline for the process along with producing an advertising video. Council decided a bachelor’s degree in a governmental field would be required with a master’s degree preferred. “There might be a candidate that has the years of experience that just doesn’t have the master’s degree,” said councilmember Ron Wimple. “Just because that individual doesn’t have a master’s, I would hate to cut an individual out if he’s got experience versus the degree.”Councilmember Gary Fox said he would like someone with experience unique to Michigan and its municipal laws.Councilmember Larry VanAlstine Jr. agreed, saying it would take someone two to three years to learn the nuances of Michigan municipal laws. He added he’d like to see someone with both union and non-union employee management.“They’re different animals and require different approaches to management,” VanAlstine Jr. concluded. Community involvement was one trait council was adamant about candidates needing. “Tecumseh is a unique community,” said Wimple. “We have a thriving downtown. We have a good reputation. I’m not looking for somebody that can do their job sitting in their office, they have to do the job by being in the community.”Acting City Manager Joe Tuckey said staff informed him they’d like someone with human resources skills, while he personally would like to see someone with knowledge of benefits and insurance. “We want someone who wants this job, not a job,” said Tecumseh City Attorney Scott Baker. The tentative timeline for the city manager selection process has started with Parker and Reed having a community and candidate profile completed by August 3 for council’s vote. From there, the MML will advertise the position on its website and other professional sites until August 31. By September 14, the MML hopes to have reviewed the submitted resumes and will present council with a written report on the resumes along with four to six recommendations.Interviews would be completed by October 5 with a decision from council by October 12. Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch vacated the positionon on July 10.A tentative start date for a new city manager is November 2. “We’d like someone that’s going to grow with this community,” said Mayor Jack Baker.