Just over a year since he began as city manager, Mark Danaj’s contract was extended through 2020. The council unanimously approved the extension at its July 21 meeting, with each member praising Danaj’s work so far.
“He’s always been 100 percent open and honest with us,” said Mayor Mark Burton. “He’s been very respectful of our jobs as councilmembers.”
Addressing Danaj, he said, “You’re our man. We like what you’re doing.”
Danaj’s original contract went through July 7, 2017, though both he and the city were allowed to end his employment at any time. His base salary of $250,000 will remain the same.
The council’s move appears to signal an end to the era of turmoil in the leadership position — responsible for hiring all other city employees — that begun when former City Manager Geoff Dolan left in December 2009 after an anonymous note sent to the city accused him of sexual harassment during a staff retreat.
The council hired David Carmay to replace Dolan in January 2011, but then fired him in November 2013, leaving the city with an interim manger for eight months.
Since Danaj began last July, he has dealt with the blowback after a man was bitten by a shark off the pier; his creation of four new city government positions, which he subsequently announced he wouldn’t fill after public outcry about the cost; the council’s approval of an update to the Manhattan Village Mall; the Urban Land Institute’s weeklong evaluation of downtown; the opening of the new library; and the city’s ban on short term rentals.
Councilmember Wayne Powell said that Danaj had “hired a number of staff people doing great things.” His hires have included Community Development Director Marisa Lundstedt, who replaced the retiring Richard Thompson in December, and Assistant City Manager Nadine Nader. Earlier in the meeting, Danaj announced that he had hired a new human resources director who would start in September. The last director was Cathy Hanson, who was placed on administrative leave and signed a separation agreement in February. ER
