Council Feuds Over City Manager Post Eugster, Corker Say Sticking With Fortin Would Hold Back City

The Spokane City Council voted to begin a search for a new city manager Tuesday, even though the position will be eliminated in January when the new strong mayor form of government takes effect.

Pete Fortin is acting city manager, having taken over for Bill Pupo in September.

The council voted down a motion that would have made Fortin permanent city manager.

The discussion, held in the afternoon briefing session, revealed sharp divisions between the two newly elected council members, Steve Eugster and Steve Corker, and the old guard of Roberta Greene, Phyllis Holmes and Rob Higgins.

Mayor John Talbott and Cherie Rodgers, while relatively silent during the give and take, sided with Corker and Eugster in the two votes.

While Corker and Eugster argued that immediate change was necessary, Greene, Holmes and Higgins defended the work of the city staff and said it wasn’t time to rock the boat any further.

“Our commitment has to be toward stability,” Holmes said. “We need to provide leadership and stability.”

Greene also questioned what sort of administrator the city could attract for what would essentially be an eight-month job.

“Any professional worth their salt wouldn’t take that,” she said.

But Eugster said the City Council was being held back by the current city staff.

“It’s time to get past this idea that we can remain in limbo for a year,” Eugster said. “I want a city manager who’s not just going to keep things stable. I want a manager I have had a participatory role in hiring. I want my own person.”

Corker, who introduced the motion to hire a city manager, said the voters in November asked for change.

“The issue is whether we exercise leadership to do the best for the city,” Corker said. “The perception is that the city isn’t as efficient as it should be.”

Greene took issue with Corker’s motion, calling it vague, and wondered whether it reflected a hidden agenda of Corker and Eugster.

She referred to a letter sent by Eugster to Talbott that recommended assistant city manager Nick Dragisich for the job of city manager.

Corker denied any link between his motion and Eugster’s letter.

For his part, Dragisich, who oversees city operations, said being city manager has been his long-term ambition, but he had no interest in campaigning for the job.

“Pete (Fortin) is my personal friend and is my boss,” Dragisich said. “Ethically and professionally it would be improper for me to be lobbying for the job.”

While the council decided not to hand Fortin the job Tuesday, he could still apply for it. However, he would have to move from his home in Chattaroy to within the city limits, as required by the city charter.

Fortin said it was too early to decide what he would do.

“I have to talk it over with my wife,” he said.

Before a search begins, a council subcommittee of Corker, Eugster and Higgins will determine the scope of the search and what qualifications should be considered. They are to report back to the full council Jan. 31.

The debate was heated, and at times got personal between Eugster and Greene.

The two locked horns when Greene said Eugster was reopening issues that were to have been settled at the Jan. 8 retreat.

“Is there a problem, Councilwoman Greene?” Eugster asked coldly.

“Coun-cil-man Eug-ster,” Greene said, drawing out every syllable. “You’re rehashing the retreat. Saturday. 8 to 5. You were there.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: WHAT’S NEXT Before a search for a new city manager begins, a council subcommittee of Corker, Eugster and Higgins will determine the scope of the search and what qualifications should be considered. They are to report back to the full council Jan. 31.