By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Public asks for future-focused, collaborative and engaging new CAO at CIC meeting

Jan 16, 2018 | 9:04 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The Community Issues Committee asked for public input on what qualities and qualifications the public would like to see in a new City Manager, and they got it.

About half a dozen residents and two organizations gave their two cents at a meeting in Lethbridge Council Chambers Monday afternoon (Jan. 15).

The City Manager selection committee includes Mayor Chris Spearman, and Councillors Jeffrey Coffman, Belinda Crowson, and Joe Mauro.

First to present was the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director Karla Pyrch, who told the committee they reached out to their membership, and asked them to provide feedback on several questions. They included input on the top characteristics and/or traits they’d like to see in a new CAO and what the most important professional competencies he or she should possess.

Pyrch told the committee numerous responses were received, indicating whoever is hired, should be experienced, dynamic, a city ambassador, change-maker, visionary and engaged with the community.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: May 3, 2024

12h ago

Week-in-review: Municipal election changes, a leadership debate and green bins

Apr 27, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 26, 2024

Apr 26, 2024

“As the city grows, of course we need a highly experienced person to take us to the next level in our services, as well as – as our population increases – we’re just hitting that 100,000 mark, and we’re going to grow past that, so that experience is fundamental.

“The dynamic part, was around community engagement,” she explained. “We  think it’s very important that person has the ability to be an ambassador for our city, that will help us grow into the future, and that they’re able to reach out into the community, so the community has ownership of what the city is accomplishing and taking on.”

Also presenting at the meeting, was Lethbridge College Director of External Relations and Community Engagement, Sandra Dufresne, who said the new city manager should also be open to collaborative relationships, be highly ‘future-focused’ and a risk-taker.

“The executive team at the college just feels that this new city manager needs to be someone who isn’t afraid to take some chances. Certainly, needs to be calculated and it can’t be anything that would put the city in harm’s way. But someone who’s willing to try new things, and to explore new opportunities in that sense.”

Dufresne also emphasized that they were hoping the selection committee would also hire someone who understands the educational wealth they have in the city.

“I think we’re a real untapped resource for the city.”

Several others presented to the CIC, and included suggestions that a new CAO should provide better communication between administration and council, and have a proven track record of cohesive teamwork between both critical city assets.

Still, others suggested that a new CAO should be environmentally progressive, with a view towards locally sustainable food movements, housing and working with non-profits.

The city will accept on-line or written feedback until 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19. From there, the video of the public presentation will be given to the selected recruitment firm.

According to Councillor Jeffrey Coffman, there is budget of $90,000 to secure a recruitment firm by the beginning of February, and the hope is that a candidate will be chosen by sometime in May.