City solicitor to take over CAO job on interim basis

City Solicitor Nuala Kenny will be appointed to the post of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) on an interim basis effective May 1, 2015, it was announced by Mayor Christian Provenzano at the beginning of Monday's city council meeting.

The decision was made by council in a caucus session prior to Monday's meeting.

Current CAO Joe Fratesi will retire effective April 30.

Fratesi told council the process of selecting a new CAO, a complex process currently being undertaken by a CAO Selection Committee, is taking longer than anticipated, but expressed confidence in Kenny as she prepares to take over the CAO role on an interim basis.

Provenzano thanked Fratesi for his many years of service to the community, to applause from council and members of the audience gathered in the public gallery in city council chambers.

Fratesi joked at Monday's meeting that because the back of his chair would not adjust, it seemed rigged to eject him.   

Fratesi, the city's longest serving mayor (1985-1996), later went on to become the city's longest serving CAO, appointed to the position in 1996.

Meanwhile, council approved the hiring of Organization Consulting Limited, at a cost of $30,200, to assist the CAO Selection Committee chaired by Mayor Christian Provenzano in the search for a new, permanent CAO.