As expected the Annandale City Council hired Robert (Bob) Derus on Monday, Nov. 21, to act as the interim city administrator in the wake of Mark Casey resigning.
Derus, who attended the special meeting, explained to the council that he has been in St. Michael for the past 15 years, and that he plans to retire in July. He presently works four days a week, and he is training that city’s engineer for the city administrator position.
"It’s been a great 15 years," he told the council, explaining that St. Michael has experienced incredible growth but also the downturn in the economy. In that time, St. Michael has grown in population from 7,500 to 16,000 (some of which included annexations).
He said he would not only help with the regular functions of the city but also would assist in hiring the next administrator.
"I have a passion for promoting good government," Derus said, noting that he works well with staff, citizens and other agencies.
Derus was hired for $42 an hour. He will work about eight hours per week and will be in Annandale on Mondays, his day off at St. Michael. He will begin the week of Dec. 12.
Council members David Burd and Dewey Gunnarson spoke in favor of hiring Derus.
"I like this option," Gunnarson said. "It will be a comfort to our staff, as strong as they are."
Derus has been a city administrator for 35 years. He has a masters degree in public administration from Hamline and received his undergraduate degree from St. Cloud State University. He is a Bush Fellowship recipient and attended the senior executive program at the Harvard JFK School of Government.
Timeline for position
After some discussion, the council agreed to accept applications for the permanent city administrator until Thursday, Dec. 22.
It will be advertised for about four weeks. All council members concurred that would be enough time.
Mayor Marlene Young and Gunnarson serve on the city’s personnel committee. Roughly, Derus said the field would most likely narrow to three to five candidates. The council would like to hire someone with city or other municipal experience.
The position will be advertised on two state websites relevant to city government, and it also appears in this week’s Advocate. Including benefits, the position pays between $60,000 and $75,000.
Young told the Advocate last week that she hoped a new administrator could be hired in February.
At the meeting, Derus said the administrative position is unique. "There’s only one in every city."
The council also accepted Casey’s formal resignation. His last day in Annandale will be Wednesday, Dec. 7. The city has planned a going away party for him from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Tom ‘N Gary’s Bowling Center. See the ad on page 1B.