Riverbank city manager hopefuls state their cases

RIVERBANK -- The three finalists for city manager made their public debut Tuesday night during a mixer at the city's Teen Center.

The candidates are Jill Anderson, a former Seaside assistant city manager; Mark Prestwich, a special projects manager for the city of Sacramento; and John Sims, executive director of Stanislaus County's Children and Families Commission.

In their opening remarks, the three spelled out why they want to lead this city of more than 22,000 residents.

Anderson talked about how impressed she was with the city's desire to move forward and how her experience dovetails with the city's needs. She worked for a Southern California city that contracted with the sheriff for law enforcement, just as Riverbank does. And in Seaside she worked on helping transition Fort Ord to civilian use, something Riverbank is doing with the former Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant.

Prestwich started his career as an analyst with the League of California Cities and has experience in finance and public works. He said he has been developing the skills necessary to be a city manager.

Sims has more than 30 years' experience in local government. He has been the manager of two small cities and a county administrator. He's also a former Turlock Unified School District trustee and has worked for Stanislaus County for more than a decade.

More than two dozen people attended the event, although many were city staff and officials. They filled out cards with their comments about the finalists.

Riverbank resident Scott McRitchie said he was impressed with the finalists, adding that each brings a slightly different set of skills and experiences. "It's a good group of candidates," he said.

Whoever becomes city manager will take the reins of a city with distinct advantages and challenges.

Riverbank's Crossroads Shopping Center has helped the city weather the economic downturn, generating millions in sales tax dollars for the city, and officials are transforming the former ammunition plant into an industrial park.

But Riverbank has been criticized over its Redevelopment Agency, which used property taxes for projects intended to eliminate blight and spur economic development.

The agency faces default on the $15.4 million in bonds it issued in 2007 because its property tax revenues have nose-dived in the recession. And this month, the City Council voted to walk away from the bond debt as part of the state's plan to abolish redevelopment agencies.

What lies ahead

Councilman Richard O'Brien was the lone holdout on that decision, saying the city had an obligation to pay its debts. The other council members said designating Riverbank as the successor agency could put the city in financial straits.

The City Council fired longtime City Manager Rich Holmer in June after placing him on administrative leave in March. Holmer had been the focus of a sexual harassment and retaliation investigation. He strongly denied any wrongdoing.

About four dozen people applied to become city manager. The council has met in closed session twice to narrow the field to three. The council is scheduled to meet in closed session today to review residents' comments and reinterview the three finalists before picking its top two choices.

Avery & Associates, the consulting firm working with the city, will try to reach contract terms with the top choice. If terms can't be reached, Avery & Associates will start negotiations with the second choice.

Riverbank could announce the name of its new city manager as soon as the Monday council meeting if contract terms are reached.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or (209) 578-2316.