By Kristine Thomas
The search for a new Mt. Angel city administrator that began with 46 applicants from 20 states is now down to three candidates from two states.
Mt. Angel City Council has narrowed its focus to city administrator candidates Mark Kunkler of Yakima, Wash.; Susan Muir of Eugene; and David Weiser of West Richland, Wash.
The public is invited meet the candidates at an informal public reception Friday, Feb. 19, 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Mt. Angel Public Library’s community room.
The council will meet in executive session on Saturday, Feb. 20, to interview the candidates.
When the council searched for a city administrator in 2008, it used an outside agency. This search was conducted by Interim City Administrator Pete Wall.
“This time the council was able to see a summary of the background checks on the top five candidates which was very helpful,” Mayor Rick Schiedler said.
The council had decided to interview four finalists but one withdrew from consideration.
Schiedler commended Wall for doing “an excellent job of helping the council through this process and keeping us informed along the way.” He added having Wall facilitate the process of hiring a new administrator has saved the city money.
When the council interviews the three candidates it will have a list of questions compiled by Wall.
Schiedler said Wall did a thorough job of investigating all the candidates.
“The three candidates that will be interviewed on Feb. 20 stand out because of their education, experience and from the very thorough background checks that were completed for each of them,” Schiedler said.
Kunkler served as city attorney from 1992 to 2009 and as assistant city manager from 2003 to 2009 for the city of Sunnyside, Wash. Prior to that, he was an attorney in private practice, holding a juris doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. He is an active member of the Washington State Bar Association.
Muir has been executive director of the planning and development department for the city of Eugene since 2005. Previously, she was the planning division manager for the Eugene from 2003 to 2005. She has served as a principal planner for Multnomah County and has a master’s degree in public administration from Portland State University. She has been a board member of the Oregon City Planning Directors Association and was the president of the Oregon County Planning Directors Association.
Weiser served as the city administrator for West Richland from 2008 until 2010. Prior to that position, he was the city manager for Ocean Shores, Wash., from 2003-2006; and was mayor of Marysville, Wash., from 1992 until 2003. He holds a bachelor of science degree in political science from the University of Washington. He is a certified municipal leader and an advanced municipal leader of the Association of Washington Cities.
The Mt. Angel City Council fired previous city administrator Jim Hunt without cause in February 2009 and hired Pete Wall as interim administrator. Because Hunt requested arbitration, which took about eight months, the hiring of a replacement was put on hold until the process was complete.
The council is hoping to have the new city administrator in place by April 1.
