photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., Thursday, July 7, 2016

Story updated 6:01 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2019:

The Lawrence City Commission will hold an executive session instead of its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday. The session will last approximately two hours and will be used to discuss applicants for the city manager position.

There are no other items on the commission’s agenda.

City Manager Tom Markus announced in September that he planned to retire, and has since said he will leave his position around June. The city hired California-based search firm Ralph Andersen & Associates to conduct a national search for Markus’ replacement.

A three-page brochure for the position lists about a dozen challenges and opportunities for the next city manager, including affordable housing, quality job growth, and the need for responsible and sustainable growth. The brochure lists nine traits that will be essential for the city manager’s success, including being an accessible communicator, having a record of economic development success, valuing diversity, and willing to spend a significant term with the city. The brochure does not specify a salary range, but states further details can be obtained from Ralph Andersen & Associates.

As part of its executive session, the commission will narrow down the applicants to an interview pool. Interviews will be conducted in late March and early April, and finalists will be publicly announced after that. The commission will convene at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.