Alameda's Hunt for a Permanent City Manager Continues

The process continues at City Hall in the quest for a new city manager.

The top three candidates, whose names Acting City Manager Lisa Goldman declined to confirm in an interview Monday ("If you were job hunting, would you want everyone in your business?"), will return for more scrutiny in the coming weeks.

The Oakland Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that Oakland City Attorney John Russo was a top contender. And The Island, citing an anonymous city hall source, named two other candidates, Alameda’s former assistant city manager, David Brandt, and Millbrae City Manager Marcia Raines.

"I know there are names floating around," said Goldman. "But from the city's perspective we're not providing that information."

The top six candidates, chosen by the city council's search subcommittee of two, Mayor Marie Gilmore and Vice Mayor Rob Bonta, were selected from among 65 applicants.

Those six were interviewed on Feb. 19, and the council chose three finalists.

In the next round of interviews, three panels, one made up of community members, one of city department heads and one of representatives of the many unions that represent the city's workers, will talk to the top candidates. That will likely take place in March. 

“It’s going to be this scheduling challenge for the human resources director and her staff to get all theose calendars coordinated," said Goldman, who declined to project a date when the council will make its final decision.

Community members involved in the process are Margie Sherratt, vice president of the school board; Jordan Battani, president of the Alameda Hospital board; Dr. Jannett Jackson, president of the ; Doug Biggs, director of the ; and Jeff Cambra of the Alameda Business Alliance.

At Tuesday night's council meeting, each council member also selected a person to serve on the panel. Mayor Marie Gilmore chose 's president, Brad Shook; Vice Mayor Rob Bonta selected Carl Chan, Alameda resident and real estate agent; Councilmember Lena Tam chose former League of Women Voters President Kate Quick; Councilmember Beverly Johnson picked the executive director of the , Robb Ratto; and Doug deHaan chose Jane Sullwold, president of Alameda's Golf Commission.

After the panels scrutinize the candidates, said Goldman, there may be more interviews before a top candidate is chosen.

"The council hasn't indicated yet exactly how they want to proceed," said Goldman, who stepped into the role of acting city manager in late December, when then-acting City Manager Ann Marie Gallant .