St. Clair Shores

Firm selected for city manager search

By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

St. Clair Shores is moving ahead with the search for a new city manager with the approval of The Mercer Group as its search firm.

Debating between three firms, City Council decided not to move forward with the Michigan Municipal League’s service because “they are predominantly a regional” company, acting City Manager Mike Smith said. City Council members said they wanted to take a national approach to finding a new city manager.

The cities of Birmingham, Troy and Holland, Mich., confirmed that they were all “very satisfied with the professionalism of” The Mercer Group, Smith said. Both that company and the other national company being considered, Affion Public, provided the cities they served with a mix of Michigan and out-of-state candidates, he said.

City Councilman John Caron said he preferred The Mercer Group of North Carolina because it seemed to “fit” St. Clair Shores better.

“I was impressed with the amount of information in the packet and also a sample of what they would put out about St. Clair Shores, in terms of their search,” he said.

Councilman Peter Rubino agreed.

“The list of hires is highly impressive (and) goes on and on,” he said. “There’s a lot of repeat customers.”

Smith said, in speaking with the other cities, searches were completed within 90 days.

The company will send a representative to the city, meet with members of City Council and meet with city staff to get more information about what St. Clair Shores wants in a new city manager, Smith said. He said they may even be able to be present at a city council meeting so residents could get a feel for the search process.

A motion by Caron, supported by Rubino, to retain The Mercer Group Feb. 4 passed unanimously.

According to information provided to the city by the company, it would be available to begin the recruitment process within two weeks of hire.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1041.