City manager praised, but urged to communicate better

Carson City Manager Larry Werner was commended Thursday for exceeding the job performance expectations of the board of supervisors, but urged to work harder at communicating more effectively with the public and the board.

The review of Werner's performance from Dec. 31, 2009, when he was appointed to the position, to June 2, 2011, was based on eight factors: leadership, board relations, managing results and resources, community and staff relations, communication, planning and innovation, problem-solving and decision-making and professional knowledge.

Each supervisor filled out an anonymous evaluation form, but also discussed Werner's performance during Thursday's meeting.

Supervisor John McKennna praised Werner, saying he "is easy to work with, gets things done, and adopts the board's agenda as his own. He takes Carson City toward the future it needs to go to."

Supervisor Shelly Aldean told Werner he exceeded expectations in most areas, but asked that during verbal exchanges in board meetings, he allow her to complete her train of thought before jumping in.

But she also said she gave him high marks in planning and innovation and problem-solving.

"I think you need improvement in community relations, but you have a tremendous relationship with staff," Aldean said.

Werner conceded, saying, "I recognize when I do those things, and sometimes I embarrass myself."

Supervisor Karen Abowd said she would encourage "more out-of-the-box thinking" during these tough economic times, and she encouraged Werner to work on better communication with the public, adding however, that "your communication with me and with staff is excellent."

Supervisor Molly Walt expressed frustration at sometimes being "out of the know" when approached by citizens about a specific issue, suggesting that department heads could report to board members when an issue arises that might be of interest to them.

Werner explained that he didn't know whether it would be feasible for him to try to identify specific issues which might be of interest to each supervisor, but agreed to try to come up with a solution.

"All I hear about are brewing issues, but I will try to do a better job," he said.

Walt also said, however, that she was pleased with his overall performance.

"The way staff supports you is a testament to your leadership," she said.

While Mayor Bob Crowell said Werner could work on better communication with the community, his leadership was to be commended.

"The time Larry spends with other counties is of high value to us," Crowell said, adding that the work Werner did with Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties in coming up with solutions to the state budget crisis regarding public health and human services was "critical."

He also applauded Werner for working through financial crises with staff and the city's bargaining groups by being proactive in finding "ways to get ahead of" the problems.

"We read about the problems they're having in Reno and Las Vegas, and we didn't have that problem here. People were here to cooperate," Crowell said.

"You could improve in your communication skills, but you're an engineer. You're not supposed to know how to communicate," he said, laughing.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Ande Engelman said she was speaking "reluctantly, but out of necessity" about areas of Werner's performance which concerned her.

She said even though he might be impatient, she doesn't appreciate it when he snapped at board members during supervisor meetings, and that she believes he should show more respect.

Engelman also said she believes the city manager should be required to live in Carson City. Werner lives in north Douglas County.

"If there are fee hikes, I would like to know that (the city manager) would have to pay it too," she said.

She also registered a complaint concerning the method of Werner's hiring.

"In the past when we chose a city manager, it was an open process" which, Engelman said, engendered trust, and "that didn't happen with Larry."

Before accepting the job in December 2009, Werner was public works director for about two decades, stepping in as acting city manager for many months when the position became vacant.

Another resident, Carol Howell, also had concerns about Werner.

She said she believed there were transparency issues with the City Center Project, and she objected to the fact that Werner appeared to be openly supporting the project, which she felt was inappropriate.

Werner said he sometimes finds himself taking positions.

"As an administrator, that might not be popular with the public, and there are times when I defer to the board (on political decisions)," he said, "but I make other decisions on what I think makes sense for the city."

Crowell explained that according to the city's charter, the mayor and the city manager make up the executive branch of the city, while the full board is the legislative side.

A set of complex goals and objectives adopted by the board of supervisors earlier in the day as a strategic plan for the city will be used to evaluate Werner's performance in January 2012, along with a look at his communication skills with the public and the board.