A new candidate is expected to be named to fill Galesburg’s revolving door of full-time/acting/interim city managers later this week. That’s according to Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman, who has sole authority to name a replacement for outgoing Interim City Manager Wayne Carl.
Carl notified city officials Aug. 9 that he was resigning the position effective Sept. 8 for “personal reasons.” Carl returned from retirement to assume the role of interim city manager on July 5. The former longtime director of Public Works had just retired from the city March 24 after 22 years in various roles.
Schwartzman tells WGIL he plans to announce his appointment of an interim city manager “later this week.”
The city, according to Schwartzman, sought legal advice to determine the procedure for how to fill the role of interim city manager.
“The process was vetted by two attorneys to seek clarity,” Schwartzman explained “The outgoing city can appoint someone within the city government for the position. If no such person is identified, the mayor then has the authority to appoint someone at his/her discretion.
“In this case, I elected to include the Council in interviews of potential candidates, which we did in executive session (Monday) night.”
Schwartzman makes the call, but seeks Council input
Schwartzman said he started the closed session with a statement clarifying to the Council his desire to get input and feedback from them regarding the candidates.
His prepared statement read: “In the government that I believe in, mayors should listen to the councilors and consider their input when making decisions of importance. Similarly, councliors should listen and consider the input of the mayor as well. So as we move forward tonight, let’s remember that we can work better together than apart. We owe this to our community. Thank you for participating in tonight’s executive session.”
Since Todd Thompson left as city manager in May of 2022 to become city manager in Rock Island, Galesburg has had three individuals — Carl, Gerald Smith, Steve Guglilotta and Carl again — serve as the city’s top administrator.
A national search led by GovHR is under way to find Galesburg’s next city manager. The position became vacant when Smith and the city agreed on a separation agreement on June 12. Smith started as Galesburg city manager Nov. 7, 2022.
Gugliotta, director of Community Development, served as acting city manager following Smith’s departure and before Carl was hired on an interim basis.
Schwartzman said there are no current employees of the city being vetted for interim city manager.
Ideal interim would understand municipal government, know the city
Asked what qualifications he was seeking in a candidate for interim city manager, Schwartzman said, “The person should have an extensive track record of management experience and a very good understanding of how a government of a city of our size operates.
“There are pros/cons of having a local person but clearly a person who knows a good deal about our city is preferred, everything else being equal.”
Schwartzman said his selection as interim city manager would likely start the first week of September, noting it would give the person a chance to work aside Carl during his final week on the job.
“This will allow for continuity of service and a smooth transition,” Schwartzman said.
While the mayor has the authority to appoint an interim without a vote from the Council, City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz said any future employment agreement for an interim city manager would come before the Council for approval.
The last time Galesburg hired an outside interim city manager, according to Bennewitz, was in 2010 when Mayor Sal Garza and the Council employed Craig Whitehead. He served as interim city manager from September until December 2010, when Thompson was hired.
Mayor hopes to have new manager on board by Nov. 1
According to the job posting on the GovHR website, the application deadline for the position of Galesburg city manager is Aug. 28. The starting salary range for this position is $165,000 to $180,000.
Schwartzman said the response to the job posting has been “lighter than last year.” He said he does not believe the city will need to expedite the hiring process to meet his goal of having a new city manager start by Nov. 1.
“I believe our interim will be able to handle the duties and responsibilities for a few months,” the mayor said. “This is the most important position in our city. It takes time to find the right candidate.
“I have confidence that the councilors will do due diligence and make a wise decision.”
