Ideas for new City Manager

[dankrutka]

It's official: Craig Freeman will be new City Manager effective Jan. 2nd.

Just a curious question: Has the city manager ever been anyone who wasn't White? Has there been a women in this role? I'm not commenting on the hire as I know nothing about Freeman.

[HangryHippo]

It's official: Craig Freeman will be new City Manager effective Jan. 2nd.

What are your thoughts on this hire, Pete?

[Pete]

Press release:

********************

Oklahoma City Council appoints Craig Freeman as next City Manager

The Oklahoma City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Craig Freeman as the next City Manager.

Freeman will succeed City Manager James D. Couch, who has announced his retirement effective Jan. 2. Freeman’s first day as City Manager is the same day.

The City Manager is the chief administrative officer in Oklahoma City’s Council-Manager form of government. The City Manager oversees day-to-day operations, a staff of 4,803 employees and a budget of $1.57 billion.

Freeman, 53, has been the City Finance Director since 2011. He started his career with the City in 1992 as a Management and Budget Analyst, earning promotions to Management and Budget Specialist, Finance Department Business Manager and Budget Director.

Before coming to the City of Oklahoma City, Freeman was a teacher and coach at Windsor Hills Baptist School. He graduated in 1987 from Oklahoma Baptist College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science-public affairs in 1991 and a Master’s degree in urban affairs in 1992, both from the University of Central Oklahoma.

The City Council appointed Freeman after a national search conducted with the Personnel Department. The Council interviewed candidates in an executive session during a special meeting Monday, and considered the candidates in another executive session Tuesday during its regular meeting.

The Council set Freeman’s annual salary at $248,000.

[Urbanized]

Just a curious question: Has the city manager ever been anyone who wasn't White? Has there been a women in this role? I'm not commenting on the hire as I know nothing about Freeman.

Yes. Terry Childers was the first African American City Manager. 1986-89.

[dankrutka]

Yes. Terry Childers was the first African American City Manager. 1986-89.

Thanks. I increasingly ask that question. I know it bothers me that in OU's almost 130-year history that there has never been a president who was not a white male because I know there have been so many quality candidates who did not get a shot. Moreover, I really think having a diversity of people (by race, gender, SES, sexual orientation, religion, language, age; in this case, by transporation lifestyle - commuter, car-less, etc.) in any organization enhances the understanding, perspectives, and connections for the organization.

It does appear that this national search attracted an Oklahoma lifer (based on education and jobs), which is not necessariy ideal considering OKC needs outside perspectives in my opinion. But, maybe he's open-minded and understands quality urban development. Anyone know his views on walkability, urbanism, etc.? I just hope he's not another subruban commuter.

[Pete]

The City did not use an outside search firm and therefore it definitely was not a national search.

The entire process was handled by the city's personnel department. Some external candidates did apply but the majority of the final 9 were current city employees.

[shawnw]

Do we know the names of the other applicants?

[gopokes88]

Thanks. I increasingly ask that question. I know it bothers me that in OU's almost 130-year history that there has never been a president who was not a white male because I know there have been so many quality candidates who did not get a shot. Moreover, I really think having a diversity of people (by race, gender, SES, sexual orientation, religion, language, age; in this case, by transporation lifestyle - commuter, car-less, etc.) in any organization enhances the understanding, perspectives, and connections for the organization.

It does appear that this national search attracted an Oklahoma lifer (based on education and jobs), which is not necessariy ideal considering OKC needs outside perspectives in my opinion. But, maybe he's open-minded and understands quality urban development. Anyone know his views on walkability, urbanism, etc.? I just hope he's not another subruban commuter.

So basically if some has a different skin color than white, or is a woman they must have different idea just based on that, rather than listening and asking if they actually have different ideas.

We need more checking the box diversity, not actual diversity of ideas. Got it.

[dankrutka]

So basically if some has a different skin color than white, or is a woman they must have different idea just based on that, rather than listening and asking if they actually have different ideas.

We need more checking the box diversity, not actual diversity of ideas. Got it.

Not at all what I said, but thanks for misrepresenting my post.

However, if the people you hire are consistently from the exact same demographic group then you might ask yourself why. Of course, there is a diversity of experiences and perspectives within groups too. No one said that there isn’t. But to dismiss the idea that race or gender play a role is to justify hiring a good ol’ boy network of hiring.

[gopokes88]

Not at all what I said, but thanks for misrepresenting my post.

However, if the people you hire are consistently from the exact same demographic group then you might ask yourself why. Of course, there is a diversity of experiences and perspectives within groups too. No one said that there isn’t. But to dismiss the idea that race or gender play a role is to justify hiring a good ol’ boy network of hiring.

Oh my bad. I just thought we judged people based on character not skin color but I guess it the opposite. Carry on.

[David]

Mayor Holt apparently feels like more representation would be good, at least based on this article I saw go by about city board diversity a couple weeks back.

"Our decision-making processes has clearly been driven by white males from northwest Oklahoma City," Holt said.

"And there's a place at the table for white males from northwest Oklahoma City, of course, but we've got to build a bigger table and we've got to have more participation and we've got to go out and really invite people."

Some appointments require selection from a small list of names. Members of the zoo trust, for instance, must be selected from two names submitted by the Oklahoma Zoological Society, per city rules.

Some boards also require specific professional licenses and experience.

But Holt said that isn't an excuse.

"People assume that there aren't minority people ready for these positions, but what I find is that's our flaw as a white person from northwest Oklahoma City," Holt said. "That's us living in our bubble and not realizing that actually there are really talented and educated, great job experience people in all areas of our city. We just need to get out more."

[dcsooner]

Yes. Terry Childers was the first African American City Manager. 1986-89.

Anyone NOT with Oklahoma ties/connections? maybe with different perspectives or vision?

[TheTravellers]

A white male baptist that's an OKC lifer and has had jobs dealing with money and not much else, yay, glad they picked the absolute best and most qualified candidate. Briefly thought that his Masters in Urban Affairs might be a good thing, but nope - it's just 6 hours of classes and 3 of those are about money too.

Urban Affairs Option
The curriculum for this option is intended to provide students
a foundation in public policy, with a particular emphasis on the
urban context. Students may choose from courses in political
science or related disciplines to pursue areas of interest within
the broader field of urban affairs.
Urban Affairs Option
Required Courses 6 hrs
PLTSC 5193 Public Finance and Budgeting
PLTSC 5413 Public Policy Analysis

[dankrutka]

Oh my bad. I just thought we judged people based on character not skin color but I guess it the opposite. Carry on.

Again, no one said that, but it's clear you're not interested in actually discussing the topic.

[dankrutka]

Again, I don't know much about the process (I am looking forward to learning more from those more informed than me), but the resume seems rather lackluster for a really good, well paying job. You really would think there would be a good pool of candidates.

[dankrutka]

One other point. Diversity in city government is also about everyone seeing themselves represented and feeling a part of the city. I guarantee a lot of peiole of color and people of low SES do not feel represented. This is evident in, for example, OKC’s lack of dedication to its lackluster bus system. Anyway, here’s an article that speaks to the topic: https://newsok.com/article/5613185/o...y-of-white-men

[jerrywall]

And to reinforce your point, it's not about choosing less qualified people over more qualified people merely in the name of diversity. It's about expanding the search and outreach to include equally if not more qualified candidates in underrepresented groups.

[peterclayton]

First time, longtime. City employee. Liberal. Urbanist. Not much of a churchgoer.

I’m a little taken aback by the backlash like this to Craig Freeman as City Manager.

It’s not a good hire. It’s a GREAT hire. People who think like me and work for the city are probably almost unanimous in this opinion.

Mr. Freeman is close to universally liked and respected on staff. He’s a collaborator and a thinker. His background in Finance for the city means he thinks of financial efficiency — which as forum readers here know means more things to encourage urbanism and public transit and active transit, etc.

Give Mr. Freeman some time. Judging someone you’ve never met based on a few lines of a resumé is the same kind of prejudicial judgment that elsewhere in life you probably preach against.

A white male baptist that's an OKC lifer and has had jobs dealing with money and not much else, yay, glad they picked the absolute best and most qualified candidate. Briefly thought that his Masters in Urban Affairs might be a good thing, but nope - it's just 6 hours of classes and 3 of those are about money too.

Urban Affairs Option
The curriculum for this option is intended to provide students
a foundation in public policy, with a particular emphasis on the
urban context. Students may choose from courses in political
science or related disciplines to pursue areas of interest within
the broader field of urban affairs.
Urban Affairs Option
Required Courses 6 hrs
PLTSC 5193 Public Finance and Budgeting
PLTSC 5413 Public Policy Analysis

[bradh]

I'm sure someone will come here and claim you're fake and just a lackey for the new city manager, but that's encouraging to hear.

[Laramie]

The city manager interview process:

Oklahoman: 3 outside candidates interviewed to be Oklahoma City city manager:
Saturday, January 12, 2019 | William Crum Staff Writer wcrum@oklahoman.com

Three outside candidates were among the eight interviewed by the Oklahoma City Council as it searched for a successor to Jim Couch as city manager.

The city released reports on costs to bring the three outside candidates in for interviews. Expenses including airfare and hotels totaled about $1,500.

The council voted Nov. 20 to hire an internal candidate, selecting then-Finance Director Craig Freeman. Freeman officially became the city's top administrator on Jan. 2.

One of the three external candidates drove to the interview, charging only for mileage and tolls.

The others flew into town on Southwest Airlines and stayed overnight, at the city's expense, at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.

The city redacted names of the external candidates and details of where they were from, citing a state law giving the city discretion to withhold personnel records "where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."

The council met privately, in executive session, on Nov. 6 to review 53 resumes, choosing eight finalists. The entire day on Nov. 19 was devoted to interviews.

Freeman, 53, has worked for the city for 26 years. He started as a management and budget analyst and served in posts including budget director.

[shawnw]

Thanks for that insight. Disappointed about not having the external candidate names (just for curiosity and imagination sake), but cool that we understand this process better.

[Pete]

^

All 3 are currently employed elsewhere.

Same with the local candidates, which is why they haven't been named publicly.