Old times returned to Council Chambers for a few minutes last night.
Appearing separately and as petitioners, the Silbiger father-and-son tag team brought familiar requests to once, and possibly future, colleagues on the dais.
One month after term limits ended his eight-year tenure on the City Council, Gary the Elder was back in a new role. Dusting off one of his favorite causes, he — unusually — read from a prepared text in pleading for community participation in the selection of the next City Manager.
Karlo the Younger, a first-year member of the School Board, is seeking to lead a shift of Board meetings from the cramped School District quarters on Irving Place — site of tonight’s 7 o’clock meeting — to classier City Hall.
First Target Date May Be Dead
Mr. Silbiger was hoping to engineer the relocation by July 1, which now seems highly unlikely.
“This just has been a slow-moving process,” said the energetic and eager youngest electee to the School Board.
The move, which has not (yet?) been authorized by the Board, faces several hurdles before approval can be granted.
Mr. Silbiger asked the City Council, which he says concurs with his wishes, to determine whether a rental fee would be charged and whether a Tuesday night city-sponsored committee could alter its meeting schedule.
“I am here,” he said, “because I want the Council to let us know what they need, and we will let them know what we need. Then let’s see if we can work this out.”
Mr. Silbiger is confident the move will happen, just later than July.
“I have spoken with almost every member of the City Council,” he said. “They have been very clear. Not only are they supportive, this is something they really want to happen.
“I realize that anything could happen. But I would be shocked if it didn’t go through.”
Led by Mayor Chris Armenta, the Council agreed to agendize the matter and take a formal stance.
As for Gary the Elder, he strode to the podium for one of the few times this century and popped a question that did not surprise anyone in the room:
Is a public process planned for the selection of a new City Manager?
No doubt Mr. Silbiger was a little taken aback when Interim City Manager Lamont Ewell said “yes” even before he had completed drawing the question mark. (Previous City Managers were slightly more reticent.)
Straight Ahead
Unfazed, Mr. Silbiger returned to his script and started reading. Regardless of the response, he was prepared to forge ahead.
“I would encourage the Council to do something similar to what was done in selecting the last City Manager, Mark Scott,” Mr. Silbiger said.
“For years, Culver City residents and other stakeholders have asked to play roles in crucial issues. This certainly is one.
“One of the many successful examples of community participation is the invaluable public input made during the selection of the last City Manager.
“Groups helped interview the finalists, including five City Council members, five city commissioners, five members of the public selected by each Council member and five city managers from other cities.
“After full interviews were conducted by each group, the participants joined the Council members to share their evaluations.
“I found this to be healthy and helpful. Residents of Culver City want to help. They want an open and transparent process.
“In making this important decision, it will be invaluable to the five Council members to have the input and thought of others who have expertise in running cities. And those who are involved and concerned about Culver City’s future direction.”
Finally, Mr. Silbiger arrived at the inevitable juncture that probably stung all of his former Council seatmates.
“No five individuals, even with Council experience, ought to take on the full burden of completing the whole city manager selection on their own.
“Of course, after receiving input from public participants, the Council members will have full responsibility to make that final decision.
“This will help increase the public trust here in the city. I think when the public fully participates, they will feel that they are encouraged to do so, and the best decision will be made.”
