Worcester Leaders: Who is the Perfect City Manager?

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Nicholas Handy, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

In an effort to help educate local citizens about the upcoming selection of a new city manager, The Worcester Regional Research Bureau has decided to assemble a group of current and former city managers for a panel discussion at their upcoming annual meeting.

Titled “Managing Cities: Insight from the Experts,” the meeting hopes to educate the audience by having panel members Jay Ash (the current city manager of Chelsea), Bernie Lynch (the former city manager of Lowell) and Mike O’Brien (the former city manager of Worcester), speak about their insights and their experiences in office.

“All three of our guests have been very active as city managers in their respective cities,” said Timothy McGourthy, the Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. “We have invited them in hopes that they can educate people about the city manager’s position and what qualities and skills would make for a good city manager.”

The event is set to take place at the DCU Center in Worcester on Thursday June 5th at 4:30 pm. This is the 29th annual meeting for the Worcester Regional Research Bureau.

Focusing on the City Manager Position

Finding a city manager that can do the job properly is of the utmost importance, which is why the Research Bureau decided to devote the topic of their meeting to the cause.

“Currently, this is one of if not the most important governance issues facing the city of Worcester right now,” said McGourthy. “While our annual meeting will bring together our members so that we can have the proper discussion and to vote on anything we need to vote on, this meeting has a twofold purpose. We really want to educate and inform Worcester residents about a very important issue and decision that is currently taking place.”

McGourthy says that the new city manager for Worcester must possess many of the same qualities as a CEO of a large company. Because Worcester is one of the largest cities in New England and because it has so many departments, proper management skills are crucial.

In addition to proper management skills, McGourthy feels that the new city manager does need to have a few more skills and attributes to be successful at the position. Speed, time management, and focusing on the issues that need attention are just a few of the skills required.

“The most crucial part of being a city manager of such a large city is the ability to manage a large group of people,” said McGourthy. “Worcester has a lot of city workers and departments, all of which the new city manager will have to focus on. Another key is to find a city manager that can not only properly manage, but do it quickly and efficiently.”

And while McGourthy is willing to make suggestions as to what qualities the next city manager should have, he is in no way advocating for any specific person to be the next city manager. After all, the point of the meeting is to educate about the process and have panel members discuss their experiences in office, not to tell the city council who they should be picking.

“We invited the members of city council to the meeting,” said McGourthy. “I hope that they attend so that they can listen to what our panelists feel is important in selecting a new city manager. This process hasn’t occurred in the past decade; it is a very big and important transition for our community.”

From a Former City Manager’s Perspective

Bernie Lynch

One of the panelists speaking at the “Managing Cities” meeting will be Bernie Lynch, who just recently stepped down as the city manager in Lowell this past January.

Lynch served as the city manager of Lowell for almost seven and a half years before stepping down. He was credited as a successful manager by vastly improving his city’s finances during his tenure.

Because the position is so important to a city’s success, Lynch is happy to speak at the event and offer his insight as to what makes a city manager important, as well as what qualities a city manager should possess.

“The city manager’s position is a very effective and important position,” said Lynch. “The manager carries a lot of responsibilities for the city and is an integral part of making sure that the city stays focused on what is important for the community.”

Although not willing to share any specifics as to his approach when engaging the panel in June, Lynch offers a broad picture of what he hopes to achieve by showing up and speaking at the event.

“I’m hoping that I can convey a message about the importance of the position and how the system works,” said Lynch. “The city manager has certain responsibilities in working with other elected officials; it really is an important job. I also hope to share my experiences with people because I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of different communities.”

Lynch says that that some of the skills that are important to any good city manager – whether past, present, or future – include a strong code of ethics, a community based focus, and management skills, among other things.

“I think that one of the most important things for a city manager to keep in mind is that they have to think with a long term perspective,” said Lynch. “A lot of the most successful city managers have had the ability to think about and correct issues with a long term approach.”

Bureau Brief

Interim City Manager Edward Augustus

The Worcester Regional Research Bureau also released a bureau brief recently, entitled “The City Manager Search Process.” In the brief, the bureau highlights the process in which a city manager should be selected as well as the role and the qualifications of the position.

The process of selecting a city manager involves four steps: defining the position and expectations, recruiting a variety of candidates, evaluating and narrowing the field, and then selecting the new city manager and negotiating a contract.

As defined by the Worcester City Charter, a city manager should “have and possess, and may exercise, all the power, rights and duties, other than legislative, commonly associated with municipal chief executive or administrative officers. The city manager shall be the chief administrative and executive officer of the city and shall be responsible to the city council for the proper administration of all city affairs properly entrusted to him/her by the city council or under this charter.”

And while much debate has been raised over who the next city manager will be, the city is currently in the process of selecting a firm to conduct the search. The current lead firm is Randi Frank Consulting, based out of Wallingford, CT.

“We certainly hope that we are chosen; we were recommended by the city committee,” said Randi Frank. “If we are chosen, we will develop a contract and will begin to develop how exactly we will go about selecting the next city manager of Worcester.”

Related Slideshow: 9 Challenges Facing Worcester’s New City Manager

Now the Edward Augustus is serving as City Manager for Worcester, GoLocal reached out to the city's leaders to find out what they believe are the biggest challenges Augustus will face in his new role.

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Keep Forward Momentum

Paul Giorgio, publisher of Pagio, Inc. and a GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™:

“Priority One: Keep up the momentum.

Two: Work with the mayor on creating a task force for the north end of Main Street.

Three: Insure that we keep our school renovation plan on track.”

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Economic Development

Councilor Anthony Economou:

“Economic development is huge. We have a lot going on, and we have to keep the momentum up,” Economou said. “Make sure we don't miss a beat. You don't want to lose a period of nine months and not have forward progress.”

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Financial Management

Roberta Schaefer, former president of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau:

Schaefer said continuing the sound financial management of former City Manager Michael O'Brien was the greatest task for Augustus. But in addition to financial questions, she called for Augustus to “follow the lead of Michael O'Brien, to make sure he represents all the interests of the city, as the CEO of the city.

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Business Climate

Tim Murray, president and chief executive officer of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce:

In addition to budgeting and economic development, Murray pointed to fostering the business climate in the city. “Try to make Worcester as business-friendly a place as possible,” he said. Whether through permitting, customer service, or other incentive, “whatever we can do to make the city a supportive (place for business).”

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Budget Concerns

Christopher Pinto, member of the Worcester Republican City Committee:

“Can he really do pension reform? Can he spare the taxpayers from more abusive taxes?” asked Pinto, who wonders what Augustus will do about the Responsible Employer Ordinance and how the new city manager will make appointments to boards and commissions.

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Capital Improvements

Councilor Frederick Rushton:

Rushton said the number one challenge Augustus will face is following through toward new buildings and/or renovations to area high schools in need of capital improvements.

"Second," he said, “is completing CitySquare.”

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Public Safety

Councilor Sarai Rivera:

Rivera points to economic development, neighborhood development, and continuing to support public safety and public service, as well as “working with private and labor to support the (Responsible Employer Ordinance) and look into an apprentice program.”

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Neighborhood Development

Councilor George Russell:

“It's not necessarily 'A, B, and C,' it's more what you want to see overall,” Russell said. “For me, it's more neighborhood orientation.”

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Collective Bargaining

Councilor Anthony Economou:

Economou also cited the upcoming task of collective bargaining with union city workers. “One of the challenges will be the contracts,” Economou said. “I imagine it's on his radar, to get those discussions going.”