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Posted on Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.

Ann Arbor City Council leaning toward Steve Powers for administrator job; vote expected Monday

By Ryan J. Stanton

Steve_Powers_July_12_2011_c.jpg

Steve Powers, one of two finalists for the Ann Arbor city administrator position, talks with resident Max Heirich, a retired University of Michigan professor, during a public reception Tuesday night. "Steve is very pleasantly modest," Heirich said after meeting Powers. "He is, I would guess, a consensus builder, a man who would take his cues from the leadership in place."

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

Related story: Ann Arbor officials say issues at city administrator finalist's former job not a concern

A majority of Ann Arbor City Council members present for a special meeting today indicated they're leaning toward Steve Powers in the search for a new city administrator.

However, a number of them say it's still too close to call.

Mayor John Hieftje said there were only narrow differences between the two candidates when he scored them on a rating sheet today.

"It was a close call," he said. "I still have a lot of thinking to do over the weekend."

Powers and Ellen Oppenheim, the two finalists for the position, gave formal presentations to the City Council today inside city hall, a day after undergoing a three-hour interview process with city staff and council members. Each candidate was asked to talk for 10 minutes, explaining what they'd do with their first 90 days on the job.

Both candidates said they'd spend time getting to know the community and talking with council members, city staff and others to better understand their priorities.

"What I would avoid is ready, fire, aim," Powers said. "I've learned coming in guns a blazing, making rapid decisions without understanding the issues, without coming to my own understanding of issues, is not the way to manage."

Oppenheim stressed she'd be active in the community and would attend as many activities and special events as she could. To prove her point, she held up a University of Michigan T-shirt and said she looks forward to attending her first Wolverines football game this fall.

"I'll certainly be seen frequently walking in city parks," she added.

The presentations were followed by a series of questions from council members, who asked the candidates about their communication styles, experiences making presentations to different groups, ability to admit mistakes and background in labor relations.

A resolution to hire a new administrator to replace Roger Fraser, who resigned in April to take a job with the state, is expected to be placed on the City Council's agenda Monday night. There will be a blank space where the name of the candidate can be filled in.

Council members acknowledged they aren't necessarily limited to choosing between Oppenheim and Powers should they decided neither are a good fit.

In the last city administrator search process that brought Fraser to town in April 2002, the City Council went through two pools of candidates before a third group of finalists turned up Fraser, who was hired to come in and clean house and reorganize the city.

Four council members — Margie Teall, Carsten Hohnke, Christopher Taylor and Sandi Smith — were absent from today's meeting for reasons ranging from health issues to family and work-related commitments. Hohnke attended a candidate reception Tuesday night, and all four are expected to watch a recording of today's meeting before Monday's vote.

Scott Reilly, CEO of Affion Public, the search consultant hired by the city, appeared for a debriefing session after today's presentations. He shared insights from city staff on each candidate and acknowledged either candidate would bring change to the city.

Both candidates are seen as competent to fill the role, Reilly noted.

Ellen_Oppenheim_July_12_2011_a.jpg

Ellen Oppenheim listens as the mayor speaks during a public reception Tuesday night. Oppenheim, who left her job in Nevada in February, is one of two finalists for the Ann Arbor city administrator position.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

Oppenheim, who five months ago resigned from her job as president of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, came across in interviews as a good communicator with a diverse range of experiences working in large organizations, including the cities of Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose, as well as the University of Wisconsin and Stanford University.

City officials said she seemed comfortable in a leadership role and came across as more dynamic. She was described as high-energy, results-oriented and "a pistol."

Powers, who has been Marquette County's administrator for the last 15 years, came across less polished, city officials said, but he earned points for giving specific and direct answers to questions during the interview process. City officials said his responses were thoughtful and down to earth, and they also liked his approachable style of communication.

He was described as modest with a good team-building experience. The fact that he has worked in Michigan's economic and political landscape also was seen as a plus.

Council Member Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward, said the two candidates are very different in their styles. She agreed Powers drilled down quickly into specifics when asked questions.

"It's very clear to me that he's not as comfortable giving public presentations," she added. "He's not as polished a public speaker, but I thought his ability to communicate was better one-on-one. I saw that when he relaxed, he really was very knowledgeable and very precise."

Council Member Marcia Higgins, D-4th Ward, agreed Powers' communication skills seem to amp up when he's in a more relaxed setting. However, she said both Oppenheim and Powers are highly qualified candidates and the choice isn't clear just yet.

"For me, it's all boiling down to which fits best with our community and that's a decision we'll be making on Monday night," she said. "For my ratings, they were both very close and I felt that Mr. Powers ranked just a little higher."

Council Member Stephen Rapundalo, D-2nd Ward, said the same.

"I thought that he came to a point much quicker and answered questions more directly," Rapundalo said, adding Powers was knowledgable about a lot of issues and seemed to wear his past experiences on his sleeve. "What you saw is what you got."

Rapundalo said when he scored the two candidates, he gave Powers the nod. He cited Powers' background working in Michigan, which reduces his learning curve, and his experience in labor relations.

"I think what we've lacked in the past is somebody who could really engage out there in the community," he said. "And I think he would bring an asset by his ability to do that."

Council Member Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward, said he was impressed that Powers has managed through situations similar to Ann Arbor where resources are declining.

Council Member Stephen Kunselman, D-3rd Ward, said he was impressed that it seems Powers has maintained the respect of the elected commissioners he works for in Marquette County for the last 15 years, even with turnover on the board.

"That is very telling to me," he said, adding he's looking for an administrator who will stick around Ann Arbor for several years and get a lot accomplished over time.

Powers told council members today he's looking forward to learning how to thrive in a community like Ann Arbor that values public process and transparency.

He said he'd work to see how Ann Arbor can continue the positive momentum it already has going, while confronting challenges many municipalities are facing: declining revenue from the state, stagnant or decreasing property tax revenues, and increasing legacy costs.

"Ann Arbor is not immune from those challenges," he said. "Ann Arbor is one of the few bright spots in Michigan, yet the city has the same challenges that are facing Michigan communities."

Both candidates said they'd make a point to meet with city department heads, council members and community leaders to learn about the issues and challenges as they see them.

"I want to reach out to the university leadership, to the chamber of commerce, to the convention and visitors bureau, to SPARK as your economic development entity, to the transportation agency, to the library district, to the Downtown Development Authority," Oppenheim said, adding she also would talk with the downtown merchant associations.

"I want to get out and see city facilities and meet staff," she added. "And all of this will help me assess kind of the current and emerging issues."

As for issues she'd tackle, Oppenheim cited the challenge of meeting community expectations with limited resources, maintaining aging infrastructure, Fuller Road Station, enhancing sustainability, waste management, park design and transportation.

Powers cited a report from the Brookings Institute that was commissioned by a group called Business Leaders for Michigan. He said the study compared metropolitan areas in Michigan and looked at their economies and potential for growth.

"It does show that Ann Arbor and East Lansing as university cities are better positioned than other cities in Michigan," he said. "However, it also shows some gaps and challenges that cities face. I would begin to use that data to help me better appreciate and understand Ann Arbor."

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.

Comments

Reinor shein

Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.

Looks like Mr. Powers is more likely suited to his "finalist" opportunity with Polk County Iowa...see local news coverage around DesMoines wher this was just made public.

Goober

Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 12:35 p.m.

I am finally getting it. City council and our leaders do not read our comments and have every intent of doing what they want, even if it is counter to good logic, sound decision making and the right thing to do in a poor economy. We are powerless to make them change. Neither candidate is the right candidate for Ann Arbor yet, city council will select one of them to help them continue the mismanagement of our valuable resources.

snapshot

Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 4:11 a.m.

Heidrick says, " he seems like he would take his cues from the leadership in place". That's a benefit?

Sparty

Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.

Seriously? A parks manager is viewed as skilled as an administrator of a community like AA, although smaller? Are they crazy? What about all the negative prior feedback in many of her previous positions or doesnt that matter? Go for Powers. We need skill and experience, not flashy speakers without skill, knowledge, and experience to back them up!

FatherXmas

Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.

Rob, I totally agree. We've already got one overpaid slick salesperson, who left a West Coast public entity under questionable circumstances, running SPARK, we don't need another running the City!

KJMClark

Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.

Excellent. I hope they stick with Mr. Powers. At this point in Michigan history, we need a quiet, competent administrator. In a few years, when the housing market has bottomed, we might be better served by an aspirational leader like Ms. Oppenheim. Right now, someone who isn't good at managed retreat would be a problem.

Ricebrnr

Thu, Jul 14, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.

If the current Council endorses him I'd consider that a negative for him. So sad.

Ryan J. Stanton

Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.

Fun facts: Powers said today he dislikes PowerPoint presentations, while Oppenheim said she's not a fan of retreats. "I've sat through too many PowerPoints and it's death by PowerPoint," Powers said, later adding: "I've learned the hard way that no matter how many bar graphs and charts, you're not going to reach everyone and that one more bar chart is not going to convince someone of your position." Oppenheim on retreats: "To me, it always sounds like you just lost the war, you're dropping back. ... I like to look ahead, and so in a number of different settings I've done advanced planning sessions."

leaguebus

Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.

Did we ask them both if they know how to fashion golden parachutes?

localvocal

Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.

We don't need polish. She may speak clearly, but she's full of generalities and bluster. He's got more relevant experience. If you don't like him, please reopen the process. And PLEASE don't leave it up to the incompetent AA HR department!

John B.

Wed, Jul 13, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.

She should work in Snyder's camp!