Three Lawrence city manager candidates from left, Thomas “Tom” Markus of Iowa City, Iowa, Roderick “Rod” Bremby of Glastonbury, Conn., shaking hands with Lawrence mayor Mike Amyx and Cheryl Harrison-Lee of Gardner, Kan. are introduced before a public reception Thursday evening at the Carnegie Building, 200 W. Ninth St.

Dozens of people stood in three lines inside the Carnegie Building on Thursday night, waiting for their turn to speak with each of the finalists for Lawrence’s vacant city manager position.

Over a two-hour period, candidates Rod Bremby, Cheryl Harrison-Lee and Tom Markus answered questions from individuals about their plans for the city, issues such as economic development and affordable housing, as well as their motivations for applying to the position.

“People are very engaged,” Markus said at the public reception. “They have good questions. They want to know how I’m going to fit in and what I’m going to accomplish.”

Thomas “Tom” Markus, of Iowa City, Iowa, was one of three city manager finalists who met with Lawrence residents at a public reception Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at the Carnegie Building, 200 W. Ninth St.

Markus, the current city manager of Iowa City, Iowa, was asked Thursday for his thoughts on affordable housing, economic development incentives, how city governments should interact with the business community and the city’s need for a new police facility — “all the hot-button issues,” he said.

In a previous interview with the Journal-World, Markus, 64, described Iowa City, home to the University of Iowa, as a “slightly smaller version of Lawrence.” He said both communities have the same types of challenges, including affordable housing.

Harrison-Lee, the current city administrator of Gardner, said she talked with attendees Thursday about her plans for economic development, affordable housing and mental health issues, among other topics.

Cheryl Harrison-Lee, of Gardner, was one of three city manager finalists who met with Lawrence residents at a public reception Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at the Carnegie Building, 200 W. Ninth St.

“Really, they’ve asked about all the issues a city would be engaged in,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to talk about my experiences from an intern all the way to my current position.”

Harrison-Lee, 53, talked in detail with the Journal-World in November about her experiences with economic development, which have included helping establish an economic incentives policy for Gardner and acting as the chief of growth management in Orlando, Fla.

Harrison-Lee noted Rock Chalk Park as having leverage to bring in more development opportunities.

Bremby, who lived in Lawrence for 23 years, said he was asked most at the public reception why he wanted to come back to Lawrence. Bremby, 55, worked as assistant city manager to former City Manager Mike Wildgen.

Roderick “Rod” Bremby, of Glastonbury, Conn., was one of three city manager finalists who met with Lawrence residents at a public reception Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at the Carnegie Building, 200 W. Ninth St.

He also served as Secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and now lives in Glastonbury, Conn., where he works as a commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

“Lawrence is home, and this is a great opportunity,” Bremby said. “I think my skill set and the things I’ve been able to develop since I was last here as assistant city manager can align themselves with what this commission wants to do in terms of bringing this community forward.”

Those who attended the reception were asked to fill out a feedback form with comments about the candidates. Mayor Mike Amyx said those comments would be assembled by Greg Nelson, a consultant with Ralph Andersen & Associates — the firm hired to help in the search — and presented to the City Commission before a decision is made.

A note on the forms said other comments could be sent to lawrence@ralphandersen.com by 8 a.m. Friday.

On Friday morning, the candidates will receive a tour of city facilities. Then, the City Commission will go into a closed executive session at noon, when it will hold final interviews with candidates. The executive session is scheduled to end at 4 p.m.

Amyx would not say Thursday whether commissioners would make a decision Friday.

Once a decision is made, the city will enter into negotiations with whomever is selected.

In a handout to attendees Thursday, the city noted that the selected candidate must establish permanent residency in Lawrence within six months after the start of employment.

The handout also listed traits sought after in a new city manager, including valuing diversity, experience in collective bargaining, a strong voice, a track record of economic development success, experience in short- and long-term planning and the ability to “establish deep roots” in Lawrence.