Search starts for new city mgr.

A process for selecting a new city manager was approved at a special meeting of the Westminster City Council Friday afternoon.

In a closed session, the council voted 3-1 (with Councilmember Sergio Contreras opposed and Councilmember Tai Do absent) to start soliciting applications for the post of the city’s top appointed official as of Monday, Nov. 9, a process described as “council-driven.”

The deadline will be Friday, Dec. 4, and the second phase would commence as the applications would be presented to the city council on Wednesday, Dec. 9 to determine which persons to interview.

After that, the vetting process would follow to determine “any background” issues. The next and final step would be to select the final candidate.

Westminster has been without a permanent city manager since January, when Eddie Manfro retired. Sherry Johnson, who had been finance director, has been serving as interim city manager.