LovelandPolitics
| Loveland's Independent News Source |
Loveland, June 28, 2016
In a surprise move that even those who were involved in making it said they didn't expect,
Loveland's City Council voted unanimously to appoint the city's Director of Water and Power, Steve
Adams, as the city's new City Manager. Along with the new position Adams gets a 10% bump in
pay for a total annual salary of $179,951.
The council convened this evening to interview three candidates for interim city manager in a
special meeting planned to be conducted behind closed doors. However, Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
was unsuccessful in persuading his colleagues to close the meeting. Councilman Troy Krenning
moved the council appoint Adams as the interim city manager and was seconded by Councilman
Don Overcash.
During the discussion that followed, Mayor Gutierrez indicated he could support Adams as the
permanent replacement for recently fired city manager Bill Cahill who was in attendance. The
motion was than amended from an interim appointment to permanent appointment. Despite
objections from Councilwoman Joan Shaffer during their discussions, she also voted for the
permanent appointment making the decision unanimous.
Councilwoman Leah Johnson told LovelandPolitics this evening,
"It is not very often that with a body of nine people you get the opportunity to be surprised by a
really great unanimous decision."
Maybe not in agreement were two co-workers of Adams who also applied for the interim job; city
finance guru Alan Krcmarik and Assistant City Manager Rod Wensing. Both witnessed the
council's swift action while waiting their turn to interview - which never came. Krcmarik later
reportedly complained he wasn't interviewed but also expressed support for the quick decision on
finding Cahill's permanent replacement.
Council members expressed hope their quick decision will boost the moral of staff already
troubled by the failing leadership of Bill Cahill and the uncertainty following his departure.
Councilman Don Overcash told LovelandPolitics,
"The city hired an outstanding individual. Why go through the time and expense when you have
the talent right here in Loveland. "
Following the departure of former Loveland City Manager Don Williams in 2009, the council's
hiring and interview process dragged out for 8 months before Cahill was finally hired in 2010 as a
compromise few supported in the beginning after they couldn't agree on two others. Cahill than
promoted 17 year veteran city employee Steve Adams to head the city's water and power
department in 2011.
Prior to working for the city, Adams worked for the engineering firm CH2m Hill and before that the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He holds a master's degree from Boston College in business
administration and a master's from the University of Oklahoma in civil and environmental
engineering. Adams' undergraduate degree is from the University of Colorado.
Background Regarding Decision
Alan Krcmarik was competing against Steve Adams for the interim post. Assistant City Manager
Rod Wensing (nicknamed "Rod the bod" by colleagues because of his frequent daytime visits to the
gym) was likely being interviewed only as a courtesy. According to a source familiar with Cahill's
review process, many employees who reviewed Cahill took liberties to complain even more about
Wensing. Any decision regarding Wensing's continued employment with the city will be the
responsibility of the new city manager as the council's hiring authority is limited only to the city
manager but not his subordinates.
In addition, Wensing is facing a possible personnel issue due to an alleged affair with another city
employee according to one source familiar with the city's human resource department's internal
review of a complaint against Wensing. While it was an important consideration for some on
council in their hiring decision, we have no information regarding the veracity of those complaints
and whether the city's internal review resulted in any concrete findings or actions.
Council members attending the victory party for their colleague and State House candidate Hugh
McKean told LovelandPolitics the money to be saved is in the tens of thousands. Councilman Troy
Krenning was quick to point out it was an expensive executive recruiting firm that brought Bill
Cahill to the city in 2010.
In a surprise move that even those who were involved in making it said they didn't expect,
Loveland's City Council voted unanimously to appoint the city's Director of Water and Power, Steve
Adams, as the city's new City Manager. Along with the new position Adams gets a 10% bump in
pay for a total annual salary of $179,951.
The council convened this evening to interview three candidates for interim city manager in a
special meeting planned to be conducted behind closed doors. However, Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
was unsuccessful in persuading his colleagues to close the meeting. Councilman Troy Krenning
moved the council appoint Adams as the interim city manager and was seconded by Councilman
Don Overcash.
During the discussion that followed, Mayor Gutierrez indicated he could support Adams as the
permanent replacement for recently fired city manager Bill Cahill who was in attendance. The
motion was than amended from an interim appointment to permanent appointment. Despite
objections from Councilwoman Joan Shaffer during their discussions, she also voted for the
permanent appointment making the decision unanimous.
Councilwoman Leah Johnson told LovelandPolitics this evening,
"It is not very often that with a body of nine people you get the opportunity to be surprised by a
really great unanimous decision."
Maybe not in agreement were two co-workers of Adams who also applied for the interim job; city
finance guru Alan Krcmarik and Assistant City Manager Rod Wensing. Both witnessed the
council's swift action while waiting their turn to interview - which never came. Krcmarik later
reportedly complained he wasn't interviewed but also expressed support for the quick decision on
finding Cahill's permanent replacement.
Council members expressed hope their quick decision will boost the moral of staff already
troubled by the failing leadership of Bill Cahill and the uncertainty following his departure.
Councilman Don Overcash told LovelandPolitics,
"The city hired an outstanding individual. Why go through the time and expense when you have
the talent right here in Loveland. "
Following the departure of former Loveland City Manager Don Williams in 2009, the council's
hiring and interview process dragged out for 8 months before Cahill was finally hired in 2010 as a
compromise few supported in the beginning after they couldn't agree on two others. Cahill than
promoted 17 year veteran city employee Steve Adams to head the city's water and power
department in 2011.
Prior to working for the city, Adams worked for the engineering firm CH2m Hill and before that the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He holds a master's degree from Boston College in business
administration and a master's from the University of Oklahoma in civil and environmental
engineering. Adams' undergraduate degree is from the University of Colorado.
Background Regarding Decision
Alan Krcmarik was competing against Steve Adams for the interim post. Assistant City Manager
Rod Wensing (nicknamed "Rod the bod" by colleagues because of his frequent daytime visits to the
gym) was likely being interviewed only as a courtesy. According to a source familiar with Cahill's
review process, many employees who reviewed Cahill took liberties to complain even more about
Wensing. Any decision regarding Wensing's continued employment with the city will be the
responsibility of the new city manager as the council's hiring authority is limited only to the city
manager but not his subordinates.
In addition, Wensing is facing a possible personnel issue due to an alleged affair with another city
employee according to one source familiar with the city's human resource department's internal
review of a complaint against Wensing. While it was an important consideration for some on
council in their hiring decision, we have no information regarding the veracity of those complaints
and whether the city's internal review resulted in any concrete findings or actions.
Council members attending the victory party for their colleague and State House candidate Hugh
McKean told LovelandPolitics the money to be saved is in the tens of thousands. Councilman Troy
Krenning was quick to point out it was an expensive executive recruiting firm that brought Bill
Cahill to the city in 2010.
| Loveland Promotes New City Manager Skipping the human resources' advertising and interview process |
| ARTICLE 8 CITY MANAGER SECTION 8-1 -- APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, EVALUATION AND REMOVAL (a) The City Council, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Council, shall appoint a City Manager to serve at the pleasure of the Council. (b) The Council shall establish the City Manager's compensation. (c) The City Manager shall become a resident of the City or the Community Influence Area as defined in the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the City Council on May 2, 2000, as amended from time to time, within six ((6) months of appointment, and shall remain a resident of such area throughout the Manager' appointment . (Amended at the election held November 7, 2000. (d) The City Council shall evaluate the City Manager's performance at least annually. (e) The removal of the City Manager shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Council. SECTION 8-2 -- ACTING CITY MANAGER The City Council shall designate a qualified City employee to serve as Acting City Manager during the Manager's absence or disability, or during times when the position is vacant. SECTION 8-3 -- EXCLUSIVE SERVICE TO CITY During the period of the appointment, the City Manager shall not be an employee of, or perform any services for compensation from, any person or entity other than the City, unless the Manager has first obtained the approval of the City Council. SECTION 8-4 -- POWERS AND DUTIES OF MANAGER The City Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the City. The City Manager shall have the following powers and duties: (a) Be responsible for the enforcement of the ordinances, resolutions, franchises, contracts, and other enactments of the City. (b) Establish and implement personnel rules and regulations for City employees. Such rules and regulations shall provide for the selection, promotion, and retention of City employees on the basis of ability, training, experience, and performance. In addition, such rules and regulations shall provide that no City employee shall be discharged, except for cause, from a position of employment which the employee has held for six (6) months or longer, unless the City employee is a police officer, in which case this timer period shall be one (1 year) year or longer. . Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the establishment or application of rules and regulations for a layoff, a reduction in force, or an administrative reorganization, or the establishment of temporary or seasonal positions of employment. (Amended at the election held November 6, 2001) (c) Cause a proposed budget to be prepared and submitted to the Council annually, and be responsible for the administration of the adopted budget. (d) Cause to be prepared and submitted to the City Council, as of the end of the fiscal year, a complete report on finances and administrative activities of the City for that year, and make other reports as requested by the Council concerning the matters of the City in the Manager's charge. (e) Keep the City Council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the City. (f) Except as to the Municipal Court and the office of the City Attorney, exercise supervision and control over all City departments, and make recommendations to the City Council concerning the establishment, consolidation or abolition of such departments. (g) Attend City Council meetings and participate in discussions with the Council in an advisory capacity. (h) Be responsible for informing the public on City functions and activities. (i) Perform such other duties as prescribed by this Charter, or as required by the Council and not inconsistent with this Charter. SECTION 8-5 -- COUNCIL'S RELATIONSHIP TO EMPLOYEES (a) Neither the Council, the Mayor, nor any Council member, shall dictate or interfere with the appointment of, or the duties of, any City employee subordinate to the City Manager or to the City Attorney, or prevent or interfere with the exercise of judgment in the performance of the employee's City responsibilities. The Council, the Mayor, and each Council member, shall deal with such employees solely through the Manager or the City Attorney, as applicable, and shall not give orders or reprimands to any such employee. (b) The City Manager alone shall be responsible to the City Council for the proper administration of all matters placed in the Manager's charge by or pursuant to this Charter. |
| Loveland's New City Manager Steve Adams |