Mill Creek casts wide net for a city manager — again

An executive headhunter assured officials “you’re a very attractive community.”

MILL CREEK — It’s been a turbulent year at City Hall.

Soon, the time will come to fill a void left by city manager Rebecca Polizzotto, who departed in October under less-than-ideal circumstances.

An executive headhunter told the City Council not to be daunted. The city’s recent history should pose no obstacle to finding a great candidate, Drew Gorgey said earlier this month. Nor should the fact that five of seven spots on the council are up for election in November 2019.

“I am not dissuaded, discouraged or frankly even concerned by some of the splashy headlines in the last month,” said Gorgey, a vice president with Peckham & McKenney, based in Roseville, California. “That motivates me.”

Gorgey went on to assure the council, “You’re a very attractive community in one of the most attractive parts of one of the most attractive states in the country.” Other cities have successfully recruited top administrators after similar troubles, he said.

Polizzotto’s tenure of three-plus years ended this fall when the City Council approved a separation agreement. She had been on paid leave for months after complaints about her treatment of staff and misuse of city credit cards. The settlement granted her six months of pay and benefits. She had been earning nearly $174,000 per year.

Polizzotto’s departure was no anomaly for the city of 20,000. Mill Creek had forced out several city managers before her, including Ken Armstrong in 2015 and Tim Burns in 2012.

The City Council on Nov. 27 agreed to pay Peckham & McKenney $25,000 for the search. The council discussed the process at two December meetings. They agreed to a speedy timeline.

They hope to keep recruitment open through Feb. 18 and to have a list of recommended candidates by March 12.

The schedule calls for interviews with finalists on March 22 and 23, with a decision by March 29.

Peckham & McKenney works throughout the western United States. The firm has recruited department directors for Bothell and Bellevue. It’s offering a guarantee that Mill Creek’s new city manager will stay in place a minimum of 1.5 years.

Gorgey said he can deliver.

“It’s a very attractive opportunity,” he told the council. “There are hurdles. I’m not ignoring that, but I’m certain we’re going to get a good pool there.”

Advertisements for the job will list a yearly salary of $160,000 to $195,000.

Bob Stowe, a consultant and former Mill Creek city manager, has been filling in on an interim basis since June. Stowe’s contract with Mill Creek pays a retainer of $5,500 weekly for a 20-hour week. Under the agreement, he is owed $275 per hour “at a minimum rate” beyond that.

Stowe’s contract is set to run through March. On Dec. 4, a motion to keep him around for nine months longer failed on a 5-2 vote. Councilmen Mike Todd and Jared Mead supported that motion.

Stowe’s performance this year has received high praise at City Hall, but it hasn’t been without incident. He was arrested at his Bothell-area home in October after deputies were called for a domestic disturbance. As of Tuesday, the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had not reached a decision about whether to pursue charges.

Any incoming city manager will have to adjust to changes on the City Council.

Councilman Jared Mead plans to step down at the end of the month, after winning election to the state House of Representatives. The city is accepting applications for an appointment to fill Mead’s post. An election for the balance of his term would take place in November.

Four other City Council members are up for election in 2019: Mark Bond, Vince Cavaleri, Mike Todd and John Steckler.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

More in Local News

Cars move across Edgewater Bridge toward Everett on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edgewater Bridge redo linking Everett, Mukilteo delayed until mid-2024

The project, now with an estimated cost of $27 million, will detour West Mukilteo Boulevard foot and car traffic for a year.

Lynn Deeken, the Dean of Arts, Learning Resources & Pathways at EvCC, addresses a large gathering during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Cascade Learning Center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
New EvCC learning resource center opens to students, public

Planners of the Everett Community College building hope it will encourage students to use on-campus tutoring resources.

Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman announces his retirement after 31 years of service at the Everett City Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett police chief to retire at the end of October

Chief Dan Templeman announced his retirement at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. He has been chief for nine years.

Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event  from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Boeing’s iconic Everett factory tour to resume in October

After a three-year hiatus, tours of the Boeing Company’s enormous jet assembly plant are back at Paine Field.

A memorial for a 15-year-old shot and killed last week is set up at a bus stop along Harrison Road on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Teen boy identified in fatal shooting at Everett bus stop

Bryan Tamayo-Franco, 15, was shot at a Hardeson Road bus stop earlier this month. Police arrested two suspects.

Mike Bredstrand, who is trying to get back his job with Lake Stevens Public Works, stands in front of the department’s building on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Bredstrand believes his firing in July was an unwarranted act of revenge by the city. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens worker was fired after getting court order against boss

The city has reportedly spent nearly $60,000 on attorney and arbitration fees related to Mike Bredstrand, who wants his job back.

Chap Grubb, founder and CEO of second-hand outdoor gear store Rerouted, stands inside his new storefront on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Gold Bar, Washington. Rerouted began as an entirely online shop that connected buyers and sellers of used gear.  (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Used outdoor gear shop Rerouted finds a niche in Gold Bar

Seeking to keep good outdoor gear out of landfills, an online reselling business has put down roots in Gold Bar.

Naval Station Everett. (Chuck Taylor / Herald file)
Everett man sentenced to 6 years for cyberstalking ex-wife

Christopher Crawford, 42, was found guilty of sending intimate photos of his ex-wife to adult websites and to colleagues in the Navy.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers speaks to the crowd during an opening ceremony at the new PAE2 Amazon Fulfillment Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County executive pitches $1.66B budget

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced his proposed budget Tuesday afternoon. Public comment is slated to begin Oct. 10.

Most Read