Council questions Hession’s solid waste candidate

Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession wants to reach outside of City Hall to hire a new solid waste director, but City Council members said they aren’t sure they will go along with the mayor’s choice.

Council members said an internal candidate was ranked higher by a mayoral committee that assessed qualifications of three finalists.

A vote to approve the mayor’s appointment is scheduled today.

Hession has gone outside of City Hall in three out of four key appointments he has made since becoming mayor a year ago.

His choice for solid waste director is Mollie Mangerich, who is operations supervisor for the solid waste department in Lawrence, Kan.

Hession said she possesses strong skills in working with other officials and agencies, and that the city will in several years be renegotiating contracts involving garbage disposal at the region’s waste incinerator, so her skills will be needed. Bonds on the incinerator are set to be paid off in 2011, and a number of contracts related to the facility will be up for renewal or renegotiation, including the electrical contract for power generated there, city officials said.

However, the mayor’s own six-person committee preferred Monica Bramble, a seasoned administrator at City Hall who became acting director of solid waste after the retirement earlier this year of longtime director Dennis Hein. Bramble was hired by the city in 1991.

Hession went outside of City Hall to choose City Attorney Jim Craven, Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick and Risk Manager Pam Schroeder. He chose an internal candidate, Gene Jacubczak, as fleet services director.

The mayor said that Mangerich and Bramble were both recommended by the committee, even though Bramble ranked slightly higher in their scoring. “They said either one of these candidates were qualified to do the job,” Hession said. “It’s important that I have people working for me that I select.”

Hession also said that internal candidates have competed strongly in national searches, including the search for a solid waste director.

Council members said they are waiting for an explanation from the mayor on why he passed over a well-regarded internal candidate in Bramble, who did not comment on the controversy.

Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin said she hasn’t decided whether she will vote for approval of the appointment. Council members could block the appointment by refusing to approve it.

“I wish he had talked to us,” McLaughlin said.

The issue may also involve communication between the mayor and council.

Councilman Brad Stark said he, too, is waiting for an explanation from the mayor. “If he makes his case, I’m obviously open to listening. I look forward to the conversation,” Stark said.

Council members have also been seeking a stronger role in guiding appointments to boards and commissions.