Colusa city manager decision nearing?

The Colusa City Council will consider appointment of a city manager — or an interim city manager — when it meets Tuesday.

The council is set to meet in closed session prior to the meeting to discuss the city manager's position, and then during its regular open meeting, will consider the appointment.

It is widely believed that Acting City Manager Randy Dunn will be named, but one councilman who reportedly is part of that voting block said Friday he has not made up his mind.

Vice Mayor Greg Ponciano said he has formulated his own thoughts, but still wants to hear what the public has to say, and he wants the ordinance that defines the city manager's role to be debated.

"I don't want to give anyone the impression that my mind is made up," Ponciano.

But the councilman said he does believe Dunn had done a very good job since taking over for Jan McClintock in August.

He thinks his public praise of Dunn may be the reason why so many people believe he has already decided he should be named city manager.

"And I do think Randy has not a great job," Ponciano said. "But I still think we need to tear into that ordinance and (decide) if that is what we want."

Mayor Tom Reische agrees that Dunn is doing a very good job, and sees no reason why not to let him stay on the job.

"I would like to see him continue on as city manager. I think he is doing a great job," Reische said.

Reische pointed to Dunn's work improving the moral at City Hall, and his work with the Walnut Ranch annexation as examples of his efficiency.

"And he has some good ideas. ... The City Council just hasn't given him the authority to make them happen," the mayor said.

Reische said his preference would be to name Dunn as interim city manager with the continued dual role as fire chief for at least another year.

"I've always tried to get a two-for with the city manager and keeping (Dunn) on as fire chief saves us a lot of money," Reische said.

Councilman Kirk Kelleher also has indicated his support for Dunn.

The appointment would be a detour from the recruiting process that started last fall, but not new to the city.

Police Chief Ross Stark held the interim title for nearly three years before being given the full title.

The city sent out requests for candidates, setting out the qualifications desired for the position.

However, that was prior to the election, and it was clear during the campaign that the process and the role of the city manager could change dramatically depending on the outcome.

The city reportedly received close to 20 applications, which an ad-hoc committee comprised of Reische and Councilwoman Donna Critchfield screened.

At one meeting, Critchfield indicated she thought there were seven or eight good candidates. At least one of those reportedly took another job.

Ponciano did not think that pool was big enough to make a proper selection, and the recruitment process was continued.

The council was slated to discuss the matter in January and February, but those meetings did happen for various reasons.

The council also was scheduled to discuss the matter on Tuesday afternoon, but the matter was tabled to give the council more time to review documents.

The council, which will address the ordinance the defines the city manager's position on Tuesday, also has scheduled a closed session on the city manager following the meeting.

Dunn has not formally applied for the job, and said he would not file a formal application. However, he said he would take the job if offered as long as he gets to keep the title as fire chief to protect his public safety retirement status.

Among other items on the agenda, is the appointment of finance analyst Toni Benson as an administrative office manager.

And as part of the consent agenda, the council is set to finalize its recent ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, as well as the pre-zoning and other actions it recently took regarding the annexation of the Colusa Crossings.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall, 425 Webster St.