Los Altos Hills’ next city manager should be communicative and exhibit proactive leadership skills, according to the results of an online survey released Tuesday (Aug. 17).
The city council, which will ultimately select the town’s new chief executive, initiated the survey to incorporate resident input as part of the process of selecting longtime city manager Carl Cahill’s successor. He announced his retirement in April and is departing at the end of October.
Although only 26 people of an estimated 8,400 populace responded to the five-question, anonymous survey, their free-form answers mostly reflect criticism Cahill has faced in the past from those who believe he failed to develop a long-term vision for the town, to properly manage contracts and to engage with residents.
The next city manager should possess “strong leadership and senior management skills; proactive, strategic nature; desire to assist residents in achieving their goals; open, honest, fair; good communication skills; good financial and contract management skills and experience,” one person wrote Aug. 12.
Some respondents referred to the new city manager as a “he,” while others used the pronoun “she.” Regardless of gender, specifically which management skills are required of this person?
“All of them,” according to one opinion.
“The candidate should exhibit extraordinary negotiating skills and be prepared to deal with highly educated, skillful people who expect to get their way,” another person wrote.
Among the ongoing town issues residents want the new city manager to prioritize and address are wildfire risks, crime prevention, staff retention and proposed state housing legislation that threatens Los Altos Hills’ single-family residential zoning.
Question No. 5, “Is there anything else you would like the city council to consider when selecting a new city manager?” elicited a somewhat personal comment requiring redaction.
“Do your job and quit listening to vocal community members that seem to have their own agenda,” the resident wrote. “If (censored) wants to run the town, he should run for office or apply for the town manager role.”
The survey closed Aug. 13, the same day the job’s application period closed. The city council will likely make a selection within weeks, according to executive recruiting firm Bob Murray & Associates.
To review the full survey results, visit bit.ly/3iUBAI2.
