Council to hire recruiting firm for new city auditor
City Council addressed several topics at Monday night’s meeting, including the hiring of a recruiting firm to find a new city auditor and hiring a construction manager at risk (CMAR) to oversee the Southeast 47th Terrace streetscape project.
Since last week, the city attracted three firms to submit bids to find a replacement for City Auditor Margaret Krym, who is retiring in February. The three firms submitted fees for their services ranging from $14,750 to more than $37,000.
Council chose the lowest bid by the Mercer Group, which offered to do a second search if the candidate hired leaves the position within two years. The city also has previous experience with the Mercer Group, which was used to help fill other city staff positions.
Council also felt the need to appoint Mayor Marni Sawicki as liaison to the audit committee and human resources staff who will help choose Krym’s replacement from the top three candidates.
City Manager John Szerlag proposed the use of a CMAR for the Southeast 47th Terrace streetscape project as a means to minimize the need to hire additional city staff for the project and to facilitate the construction process in a timely manner. The CMAR will oversee all aspects of the project and make decisions on conflicts and concerns that arise during the construction.
The $8.5 million project incorporates brick paver sidewalks, bulb-outs, street lighting, trees and landscaping, benches and improvements to city utilities. The cost will be shared by the city and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Construction along the street between Coronado Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard should begin in 2017 with completion anticipated by 2019.
Council unanimously approved each of three items discussed in public hearings. A resolution approved the vacation of a sidewalk right-of-way on vacant property located at the corner of Pine Island Road and Southwest 3rd Place to facilitate assemblage of the 12-acre site for future commercial development.
Two ordinances were amended, one changing the land use designation from commercial/professional to multi-family residential at 3817 Del Prado Blvd. as the area has been developed as multi-family over the years.
A second ordinance amendment was in response to state statute changes regulating licensing and fees charged to construction contractors by the Department of Community Development.
Council’s next regular meeting is Monday, Nov. 7, at City Hall.