Title
Resolution to Offer the City Administrator Position to Howard Lazarus
Staff
Sponsored by: Council Administration Committee
Body
Whereas, The Council approved the Council Administration Committee to serve as the search committee for the hire of the City Administrator;
Whereas, The Council Administration Committee reviewed the candidates presented by Affion Search Firm and recommended four candidates to be considered as finalists;
Whereas, From April 14, 2016 through April 15, 2016, the four finalists were in the City of Ann Arbor and were interviewed by staff and participated in a public reception;
Whereas, On April 16, 2016, the four finalists were interviewed by Council in a public forum;
Whereas, The Council Administration Committee of the Ann Arbor City Council has recommended Howard Lazarus to be approved as the preferred candidate;
Whereas, Howard Lazarus has served the City of Austin, Texas, as Director of Public Works from 2008 to present being responsible for a 720-person department delivering planning, design and execution of the City capital improvement program with a value of over $2 billion; development and oversight of an annual operating budget of $91 million; maintenance of over 7,800 miles of roadway, inspection and repair of bridges; and planning and implementation of bicycle, pedestrian and child safety programs;
Whereas, Howard Lazarus has served as an Acting/Interim Assistant City Manager for the City of Austin, Texas (2010) with supervision over Service group functions including Public Works, Transportation, Code Compliance, Solid Waste Services, and Aviation Departments;
Whereas, Prior to his employment by the City of Austin, Mr. Lazarus has worked in the private section, for the City of Newark, New Jersey and the U.S. Army; and
Whereas, Howard Lazarus holds a Bachelor of Science from the US Military Academy, West Point and a Master of Science in Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College and the Senior Executives in State and Local Government, Kennedy School, Harvard University and has received numerous awards and recognitions over his 30 years public and private sector career;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize and direct the Human Resources Director to offer the position of City Administrator to Howard Lazarus, contingent upon completion of a successful background check; and
RESOLVED, The City Council authorize Mayor Christopher Taylor, with the assistance of the Human Resources Director, to negotiate a proposed contract for Howard Lazarus to serve as the City Administrator, with the final contract subject to approval of form by the City Attorney and approval by Resolution of City Council.