CAO headhunter picked. No criminal record check

City hall has chosen the headhunting firm that will seek a replacement for departing Chief Administrative Officer Joe Fratesi.

At a meeting this afternoon, the city's CAO selection committee picked North York-based Organization Consulting Ltd. from 12 applicants.

There were three shortlisted proposals: Organization, Boyden Global Executive Search and Legacy Partners Executive Search.

There was a difference of opinion at today's meeting over whether the committee may now directly hire Organization, or whether the decision must first be ratified by city council.

"It indicates in the policy that this committee can retain a consultant," said Mayor Christian Provenzano.

"It goes to council as an information report, not seeking approval," agreed Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers. "This committee was empowered to make that decision."

Deputy city clerk Rachel Tyczinski and purchasing manager Tim Gowans weren't so sure and the issue wasn't decided at today's meeting.

Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Shoemaker tried unsuccessfully to "have a criminal records check done on the person who will work with our city, just to ensure that everything's clean."

"We engaged a proper process here. We had a proper response. I don't know why we would deviate from our normal course of action," said Mayor Provenzano. "Organization has a signficant history in Guelph and a number of other cities."

"The interviews were very good and the references were thorough and were able to be checked," said Councillor Myers. "Guelph used them four times, including their CAO and three other very senior positions. When the reference was checked [they said]: Why do you think we used them four times?"

Councillor Marchy Bruni suggested that Organization should pay the cost of any criminal record check, not the city.

Committee members voted on the criminal record question.

The vote split 2-2, resulting in Shoemaker's motion failing.

'I think we're hring an exceptional consultant at a very, very good price," said Mayor Provenzano.

Councillor Myers indicated agreement with that statement.

Councillor Shoemaker said he didn't disagree.

Fratesi announced in January that he would retire as CAO effective April 30.

He indicated at that time that he was willing to stay on the job after that date until his successor was in place.