Apr 7 2019
Charter Revisions Make City Administrator Selection Vital to Piedmont.
Will there be an opportunity for public input on the qualifications sought in a new City Administrator?
The Piedmont City Council is moving ahead to find a replacement for City Administrator Paul Benoit, who is retiring in June 2019.
Minutes from February 25, 2019 Special Council action meeting can be read by clicking > 2019-02-25_special
Public input methods and characteristics sought in a new City Administrator by the City Council have not been publicized. In the past, the community has been given opportunities to provide comments and ideas on desired characteristics of top Piedmont officials.
The recently voter approved Charter revisions place the decision of retention of key employees with the City Administrator rather than with the City Council.
In November 2018, the City Council and City Administrator Paul Benoit proposed and Piedmont voters approved City Charter changes transferring long-held Council responsibilities to the Piedmont City Administrator. If the City Council and City Administrator disagree on the retention of key-officers – Police Chief, Fire Chief, Planning Director, Finance Director, Public Works Director, etc., only the City Administrator has the right and authority to determine these key employees continued employment with the City.
The next City Administrator may require a different set of skills than previous candidates.
The Council selects the key-officers of the City, but the Council cannot terminate or retain their choices if the City Administrator does not agree. Given a disagreement between the City Administrator and the City Council, the Council by law can terminate the City Administrator and then select another person to fill the City Administrator position who will then make decisions. The City Administrator, by law, is singularly entitled to make firing and retention decisions regarding top officers and will bear the sole responsibility for those decisions.
This major change in Piedmont governance makes selection of an appropriate City Administrator all the more important to Piedmonters.
Some comments made in the community have suggested the following characteristics be sought in a new City Administrator:
- Understanding of California law and application to Piedmont
- Belief in open and transparent government
- Familiar with Piedmont City Charter
- Proven ability to propose and work within budgetary constraints
- Ability to encourage varying points of view
- Speaking and writing skills commensurate with responsibilities
- Foster community participation in Piedmont decisions
- Support broadcasts of Piedmont public meetings
- Experience with personnel decisions including terminations
- A previous track record of administering a comparable public entity in California
- Plans for service in Piedmont extending beyond 5 years
- Understand the difference between Council and Administrative decisions
- Willingness to work with the Piedmont School District
- Ability to develop and encourage appropriate employee activities
