The primary focus of the meeting was the evaluation of City Manager Marcia Cardi. Commissioner Davis expressed satisfaction with Cardi’s performance, noting that she exceeded the requirements of the cure period. Davis highlighted Cardi’s promptness and problem-solving capabilities, which reinforced her confidence in Cardi’s continued role as city manager. In contrast, another commissioner expressed disappointment with Cardi’s communication during the evaluation period, citing postponed meetings and insufficient direct communication as problematic given the evaluation’s importance.

Commissioner Campbell acknowledged Cardi’s efforts but identified ongoing concerns, particularly regarding her involvement with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Campbell emphasized that while Cardi completed most tasks, questions remained about her full approval for continuation in the role.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the completion of required training courses. Concerns were raised about the documentation and follow-up of Cardi’s training, with particular focus on whether the courses were thoroughly completed. Commissioner Davis stressed the importance of proper training documentation, noting that it could have prevented current issues. The lack of clear standards for training completion during the 30-day period was a recurring theme, with commissioners advocating for more quantitative measures to assess training effectiveness.

The dialogue extended to the responsibilities of human resources (HR) and the city manager’s oversight. Commissioners debated the role of HR in evaluating Cardi, asserting that the commission should directly manage evaluations and directives to avoid placing HR in a difficult position. The need for clear expectations and metrics for evaluating the city manager emerged as a priority.

Public comments reflected varied perspectives on Cardi’s situation. Allegra Kitchens argued that Cardi faced unfair judgment compared to previous city managers. Kitchens emphasized the importance of consistent training for all staff, warning against penalizing Cardi while others are exempt. Mackenzie Fry raised concerns about potential Sunshine Law violations, highlighting the need for decisions regarding the city manager to be made publicly by the full commission. Fry’s concerns included the process of placing Cardi on leave without a full commission vote, advocating for transparency in decision-making.

Pam Garris and Audrey Wise echoed support for Cardi, urging the commission to uphold previously set standards and provide necessary support. Garris called for a professional workplace environment and respect for all employees, while Wise emphasized the importance of quality over quantity in training.

The meeting also explored Cardi’s mentoring and professional development. Cardi detailed her interactions with mentors, including former city manager Jim Hansen and Anita Favorvers Thompson, who provided guidance and introduced her to relevant organizations. These mentoring efforts were part of a broader strategy to enhance Cardi’s managerial skills and ensure her alignment with city goals.

The commission confronted challenges in managing the city manager’s role, with discussions on the need for tailored policies that recognize the unique nature of the city manager position. A commissioner highlighted the importance of differentiating policies for the city manager from those for regular employees, advocating for clear guidelines and responsibilities.

Legal clarifications were provided regarding the administrative leave process, with the city attorney reiterating the mayor’s authority to place the city manager on leave. This authority, recently codified into policy, underscored the procedural framework within which the commission operates.

As the meeting concluded, a motion was made to retain Cardi in her position, conditional on successful cure period completion and positive staff interactions. The motion received unanimous support. The commission agreed to revisit the evaluation process at a future meeting.