During the meeting, the proposal to appoint Chief Mike Rose to the interim city manager position was brought forward after Rob Killian decided not to take on the role due to personal discomfort. The decision was unanimous, with council members expressing trust in Rose’s leadership abilities. However, the appointment was met with concerns about the practicality of Rose managing both responsibilities simultaneously. One council member and several public attendees expressed their apprehension about the arrangement, dubbing it “bizarre” and questioning the potential impact on Rose’s effectiveness as police chief. The mayor reassured attendees that Rose’s appointment is temporary, and he would return to his police chief duties once a permanent city manager is found.

Public discussion during the meeting included questions about the time frame for hiring a permanent city manager, with estimates ranging from three to five months. Concerns were voiced about the potential for Rose to be stretched too thin, with members of the public emphasizing the importance of his role as police chief. Despite these concerns, some residents expressed optimism about Rose’s ability to bring positive changes during his interim tenure, citing his strong track record as police chief.

He emphasized a team-oriented approach to managing the city and acknowledged the tasks ahead that require attention. Rose also mentioned discussions about the possibility of appointing a deputy city manager to support operations during the interim period.