TO:	City Commission
FROM:	Mayor Mike Amyx
CC:	Dave Corliss, Interim City Manager Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager/Airport Manager Frank S. Reeb, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk
DATE:	May 11, 2006
RE:	Authorize agreement with Bennett Yarger Associates for City Manager Executive Search Services

On April 12^th we issued a Request for Proposals for professional services to perform executive search services for the position of City Manager.  With assistance from Vice Mayor Hack and Commissioner Schauner, and Frank Reeb, Director of Administrative Services, we have completed that request for proposal process and, as more fully described below, I recommend contracting with Bennett Yarger Associates, Scituate, Massachusetts, for such executive search services. 

We received nine responses to the request for proposals.  Those responses were reviewed based on several criteria, including: the firm’s capability to perform all aspects of the search process; familiarity with best practices in the executive search process; experience in executive search services for municipal organizations; and the proposed cost of services.  On May 1^st, I met with Vice Mayor Hack and Frank Reeb to review the proposals and we narrowed the respondents to a group of three finalists.  The finalists were: Bennett Yarger Associates; Slavin Management Consultants; and Springsted, Inc.  Telephone interviews with Commissioner Schauner, Frank Reeb, and me were held with the finalists on Monday, May 8^th, and based on the interviews and all of the information submitted, Bennett Yarger & Associates was the overall first choice.     

While there were several factors that influenced this decision, among the most important factors was the fact that Dick Bennett himself, the President and founder of the firm, would work directly with the City on this project.  Mr. Bennett, former co-owner of the PAR Group of Chicago, has more than 30 years experience as both a public administrator and consultant to civic and nonprofit organizations.  It was also very clear from the telephone interview with Dick Bennett that he was very interested in this recruitment and understood its importance to this community.  He clearly articulated that his firm is best known for its ability to work with clients to identify the strategic impact of the hire, the specific accomplishments demanded of the appointee, issues and challenges facing the organization, and then identifying the best candidates for the position.  Bennett Yarger has executive recruitment clients in over 35 states and most recent relevant work experiences include Oak Park, IL (Village Manager); Concord NH (City Manager) and East Providence, Rhode Island (City Manager).  Its Kansas clients include the City of Olathe (Chief of Police, CFO, and Budget & Management Director) and City of Wichita (Director of Parks & Recreation). 

As for the cost of services, $17,500 plus expenses (capped at $5,250), while we received proposals with lower fees, when considering the experience, and thoroughness of the overall project plan, Bennett Yarger Associates’ cost proposal is very competitive.

Recommendation:  Based on the information provided above, I recommend that the City Commission authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement with Bennett Yarger Associates for City Manager executive search services in an amount not to exceed $17,500 plus expenses (capped at $5,250).