BL plots post-Rigge plans By Matt Kapko Eye Correspondent The Arcata Eye 11-05-2002 Blue Lake has seen many changes in recent days. Within weeks of City Manager Duane Rigge’s announcement that he would be leaving his post for new opportunities in Fortuna, 19-year City Clerk Karen Nessler suffered major injuries in a car accident on Oct. 27. Her condition has greatly improved after successful surgery on a broken shoulder, according to city staffmembers. Nessler, 60, also suffered two broken arms in the crash, which claimed the life of her husband William, 66. She has begun rehabilitation therapy, is recovering well and hoped to be released over the weekend, one of her co-workers said. Some councilmembers had feared the loss of a key employee could seriously impair City Hall during a crucial period, especially since Nessler, as city clerk, had overseen the city’s election-related business. But Rigge said Blue Lake was weathering her absence. “We’ll get by,” Rigge said. “We’re not in a tailspin.” A major factor, he said, is the “spirit of commitment” in the community and at City Hall. “A lot of people are stepping up to the plate” to fill the void, he said, including a volunteer and part-time employee. “It’s not the same, but we have a very good, solid staff… Some things we’ll postpone, other things we’ll patch together.” City Attorney Richard Platz informed the council that election results are going to be certified by the county and will not require certification from the city clerk. Mayor Adelene Jones has appointed City Councilmember Brian Julian as city clerk pro tem. A special City Council meeting last Wednesday centered on plans for recruiting a new city manager. The City Council has directed Rigge to begin recruitment for his replacement and is pleased that he will be available throughout the interview and selection process. Rigge proposed to the council that his replacement also be able to serve as director of public works and the city treasurer. He and the City Council conferred that under the city’s current budget constraints, sufficient funds would not be available to hire more than one person for the three positions. Rigge presented his outline for the job description to the council. Members of the council nitpicked over his choice of syntax and agreed upon a few minor changes. The council concluded the description’s wording to state, “The City Council is searching for an innovative individual with strong leadership skills. The selected candidate will be a team player who is able to work for and with the council as well as other members of the city and community.” The council desires applicants with the “ability to anticipate new issues” and skills and experience in grant writing – both considered very important by the council. The council set the position’s annual salary range at $42,000 to $52,000. Rigge and the council are hopeful the position will be filled before Rigge departs for Fortuna as its new city manager on Dec. 8. “I think of you highly as a council,” Rigge said. As this process continues, “It is becoming harder to leave.” City Councilmember Dave Nakamura voiced concerns he had about filling the position before Rigge’s departure. He requested that more clarification be made on the possibility of an interim city manager. Rigge said he will be presenting to the council at its next meeting on Nov. 12 with more ideas on an interim position, if needed. The council directed him to begin advertising and recruitment for candidates and accept applications until Nov. 27. The council decided to wait for results from the city council elections before determining dates for interviews to be conducted, which Rigge said he anticipates beginning during the first week of December. Many of the final plans have been left in the air until results from today’s election are announced. Incumbents Alex Ricca and Sherman Schapiro are up for re-election and were reluctant to make any plans for the future with their current council terms close to expiration. Home