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The Auburn City Council has given final approval to an ordinance specifying how the city’s future police and fire chiefs will be chosen. The ordinance, drafted by Councilman Kevin Hanley, gives the city manager the authority to make the appointments. In the past, the city municipal code called for the council to make the appointments that then become “subject to the administrative direction of the city manager.” The new statute states that the police chief “shall be appointed by the city manager with the consent of the city council.” Commented Hanley: “The very sensitive role the police chief plays — and his or her need for the support of the city council to be effective — justifies some role for the council in this selection process.” There is no reference in the ordinance to a council role in the fire chief selection process, but veteran observers of City Hall politics are of the opinion that a city manager would be nuts not to consult with the council before announcing his choice. The current occupants of those positions, Police Chief Valerie Harris and Fire Chief Mark D’Ambrogi, are relatively young — in their 40s — and, barring unforeseen circumstances, are expected to remain on the job until they hit retirement age. Subscribe to the Sentinel and receive this weekly newspaper (the only general circulation newspaper in the area that is locally owned and operated) delivered right to your mailbox. Call the Sentinel at 530-823-2463 for more information.
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