City manager search committee takes shape

The resolution also instructs the city human resources and law departments to put together requests for proposals for an executive search firm to assist in finding qualified applicants.

The committee is charged with helping the city departments with the RFP process, as well as narrowing the field of applicants down to no more than five. Council will then present the finalists to the public and make the final hiring decision.

“The committee will be responsible for coming up with criteria as to what will be best suited for the city of Springfield to be looking for in a candidate,” Councilman John Wylie said. He added that the search committee, through a self-chosen executive committee, will be responsible for keeping applicants’ information confidential until finalists are chosen.

Wylie said he’s aware of the importance of the task that lies ahead, both for the committee and for council.

“I’m a believer in prayer,” Wylie said, “and I’m asking the faith community to offer a lot of prayers and help in the selection of a city manager. It’s a very important position.”

A healthy arrangement

Council also approved the final contract terms to sell 72,000 square feet of the L.E. Cox building, 440 E. Tampa St., to Advocates for a Healthy Community Inc., which operates Jordan Valley Community Health Center.

The city is selling the portion of the building for its appraised value of about $1.63 million, or $22.58 per square foot.

Advocates for a Healthy Community has 60 days to close on the property, which would be the new home of its health center currently located at 630 W. Kearney St. Advocates for a Healthy Community plans to buy and renovate the facility with $10.6 million in state funds earmarked for the center in June as part of a $60 million package for Missouri’s federally qualified health centers.

Community health center Executive Director Brooks Miller told Springfield Business Journal in November that he hopes to be in the new facility, which is across the street from the center’s dental clinic, by the end of 2008.

While initial plans don’t include the addition of new services, Miller said the space could allow for future expanded offerings, including an urgent-care program.

Also on the agenda

Council approved the transfer of $300,000 from Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau’s budget to Destination Springfield Inc., a 501(c)3 corporation that the CVB formed earlier this year for fundraising purposes.

The move allows CVB to purchase a one-acre parcel at U.S. Highway 65 and East Chestnut Expressway from Jim D. Morris to relocate its existing visitors’ center at Highway 65 and Battlefield Road.

Morris is selling the land to CVB subsidiary Destination Springfield for $250,000, well below its $600,000 appraised value. The deal is expected to close Dec. 26.

CVB hopes to hire an architect in the spring and move by 2010.[[In-content Ad]]