Homewood council backs consultant-led next steps in city manager search, votes unanimously
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Homewood’s City Council voted unanimously at a special-called meeting on Jan. 29 to continue a consultant-led process for its city manager search and to advance a limited list of finalists.
The council president opened the noon meeting to set final steps in the search after staff and outside consultants reviewed 61 applications and completed nine candidate interviews, with three more interviews scheduled the following day. Councilors praised the work of Sam Gaston and Kim Kinder, who screened applications and recommended candidates for further consideration.
Why it matters: the decision keeps initial interviews under the consultants’ control while preserving a pathway for council involvement later. Legal counsel advised that if finalist interviews are opened to the public with a quorum present, the Open Meetings Act requires 24 hours’ public notice.
Councilors described two resolutions before the body: one continuing the current approach with Gaston and Kinder retaining authority to lead interviews and consolidate questions, and a second that would allow council attendance and public questioning at future sessions. Multiple councilors said they would submit follow-up questions to be consolidated and reviewed by staff and the consultants.
During the meeting Council President (self-identified as facilitator) noted, “We received 61 applications for the city manager positions,” and later thanked the search team: “They have done an outstanding job.” Sam Gaston, identified in the meeting as the city’s special assistant to the city manager, told the council, “Whoever gets the position is going to be inheriting really a good opportunity,” and confirmed staff would send a proposed list of follow-up questions for phase two.
Legal counsel cautioned, “If the council elects to go public with the interviews and a quorum of the council is present… it would require 24 hours of public notice,” language the council said it would observe in scheduling any public sessions.
Action taken: Councilor Armstead moved to approve the consultant-led option; Councilor Simmons seconded. The council voted “aye,” and the motion passed unanimously, 5–0. The president read the resolution number aloud as “20 six-eleven” during the announcement of the outcome.
Next steps: staff and the consultants will provide the council a proposed shortlist of finalists (reported in the meeting as likely 3–5 candidates) and a consolidated set of follow-up questions. The council indicated it will review those questions and may proceed with public finalist sessions only after meeting legal-notice requirements.
The special meeting concluded after the vote.
The council president opened the noon meeting to set final steps in the search after staff and outside consultants reviewed 61 applications and completed nine candidate interviews, with three more interviews scheduled the following day. Councilors praised the work of Sam Gaston and Kim Kinder, who screened applications and recommended candidates for further consideration.
Why it matters: the decision keeps initial interviews under the consultants’ control while preserving a pathway for council involvement later. Legal counsel advised that if finalist interviews are opened to the public with a quorum present, the Open Meetings Act requires 24 hours’ public notice.
Councilors described two resolutions before the body: one continuing the current approach with Gaston and Kinder retaining authority to lead interviews and consolidate questions, and a second that would allow council attendance and public questioning at future sessions. Multiple councilors said they would submit follow-up questions to be consolidated and reviewed by staff and the consultants.
During the meeting Council President (self-identified as facilitator) noted, “We received 61 applications for the city manager positions,” and later thanked the search team: “They have done an outstanding job.” Sam Gaston, identified in the meeting as the city’s special assistant to the city manager, told the council, “Whoever gets the position is going to be inheriting really a good opportunity,” and confirmed staff would send a proposed list of follow-up questions for phase two.
Legal counsel cautioned, “If the council elects to go public with the interviews and a quorum of the council is present… it would require 24 hours of public notice,” language the council said it would observe in scheduling any public sessions.
Action taken: Councilor Armstead moved to approve the consultant-led option; Councilor Simmons seconded. The council voted “aye,” and the motion passed unanimously, 5–0. The president read the resolution number aloud as “20 six-eleven” during the announcement of the outcome.
Next steps: staff and the consultants will provide the council a proposed shortlist of finalists (reported in the meeting as likely 3–5 candidates) and a consolidated set of follow-up questions. The council indicated it will review those questions and may proceed with public finalist sessions only after meeting legal-notice requirements.
The special meeting concluded after the vote.
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