City manager search process ready to begin

The Hanford City Council is preparing early to find a replacement for City Manager Gary Misenhimer, who will be retiring next spring.

Today the council will hold a conference with an executive search consultant regarding the recruitment process.

It remains uncertain exactly what process the council will decide to use to hire the city's new top administrator. In the past, the council has used an executive headhunting firm, but it has also made internal appointments, as it did with Misenhimer.

Misenhimer, 61, announced this week his intent to retire on May 1, 2010. He said he submitted his notice seven months in advance to give the council enough time to find a replacement and facilitate a seamless transition in leadership.

Also, the City Council is scheduled to consider approving a $16,530 contract with Kroeker to demolish two substandard structures in the city, one at 1159 W. Seventh St. owned by the city and another at 606 S. Phillips St., which is owned by Charles Casey of Monterey. City officials say Casey has agreed to a four-year contract to repay the city for the demolition cost of his property.

In other business, the city is expected to:

- adopt an ordinance approving a development agreement with MMV Development for the Live Oak master-planned community,

- adopt an ordinance rezoning 39.4 acres on the west side of Centennial Avenue and north and south of Berkshire Lane to R-1-6 single family residential and 4.4 acres to multi-family residential.  

- consider approving a substantial amendment to the Community Development Block Grant 2007-2008 plan. The city previously adopted a resolution to allocate $131,000 to support the Hanford Nazarene Housing Infill Project and $13,831 for administration cost. But staff now wants to spend $35,000 for the Nazarene project while allocating $30,000 to the analysis of impediments to fair housing choice activity and $66,000 to the city's first-time homebuyers program.

The Hanford City Council meets for a study session at 4 p.m. and reconvenes for a regular session at 7:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday in the Council Chambers, Civic Auditorium, 400 N. Douty St.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(Oct. 6, 2009)