Olander named new city manager

SHORELINE — When searching for a new city manager, city officials opted not to conduct a national search, but favored a much narrower approach.

They consulted the current roster of city employees.

Former deputy city manager Bob Olander, who has served as interim city manager since January, was unanimously appointed as city manager at the Monday, March 27 Council meeting. Olander will replace Steve Burkett, whose resignation was approved at the end of December 2005.

“When we have a qualified candidate who is in-house and who is known and well-liked by all seven Council members, we feel it is best to promote within,” said Mayor Bob Ransom, also a Council member.

The city manager is the only employee hired by the city council to implement the council’s policies and oversee city departments. Olander has more than 30 years of experience in local government after serving as city manager for the cities of Ocean Shores, Anacortes and Des Moines.

The Council’s decision came after they adjourned for about 40 minutes into executive session. The executive session was called by Ransom, who said he wanted to take a few minutes for the Council to meet with the city attorney. Upon returning, Council members explained their reasoning for hiring Olander; many said he had earned their respect and done a competent job in the past few months.

Not conducting a national search has saved the city thousands of dollars, said Deputy Mayor Maggie Fimia, who added that Olander’s former position as deputy city manager also will not be replaced. Olander preferred a flat salary, with no bonuses, Fimia said, and the salary was set at $136,000.

“Even though it may look relatively high, it is mid-range for a position like this compared to other cities,” said Fimia, who also is a Council member.

Ransom said the process utilized to hire previous city managers involved wide-ranging searches. In Burkett’s instance, he said, a national search identified 42 candidates, of which 10 were selected for interviews by the Council. Such a process was not needed this time around, Ransom said, as the deputy city manager was qualified.

“I look forward to many years of progress for the citizens of Shoreline,” Olander, 59, said after the Council’s vote. “It is a great community with a real sense of place.”