ATWATER -- City officials worked until 2:15 Tuesday morning trying to hammer out budget details, page-by-page, during a City Council meeting that started at 7 p.m. Monday.
However, one of the quicker parts of the meeting, but still just as important to the city's future, was the announcement by Mayor Joan Faul that Assistant City Manager Stan Feathers will serve as interim city manager once Greg Wellman, the current city manager, retires Nov. 2.
The decision to promote Feathers was made during a closed-session meeting at 4 p.m. before the regular City Council meeting Monday.
"Mr. Feathers knows all of the aspects of the city's operations," Faul said during the meeting. "He has played a critical role in many of the city's recent successes."
Feathers accepting the promotion without an increase in pay shows his commitment to the city and his willingness to lead by example, Faul added.
The council voted 4 to 1 in favor of appointing Feathers to interim city manager, with Mayor Pro Tem Joe Rivero voting no.
Rivero voted against the appointment not because he doesn't have faith in Feathers' experience and abilities, but because of the amount of administrative leave being offered, he said.
"I'm confident that Mr. Feathers is capable of filling the interim city manager position," Rivero said. "I wanted the elimination of administrative leave for that position, not for anyone else -- just that position."
The cutback of special entitlements for new positions that open up -- in this case, city manager -- would help save the city money and ensure equal treatment among city employees, Rivero said. The city's been able to avoid layoffs, and he'd like to keep it that way.
"Atwater's in a better situation than most cities," he said. "The reduction and elimination of these special entitlements for new management positions helps with the overall budget, and basically sets the tone of equitable treatment for all the employees."
Feathers recognizes the position the city's in, and will experience the effects of cost-saving measures the city is taking.
Once Feathers is in the position of interim city manager, his current position as assistant city manager will be left unfilled.
"There's no doubt that's going to be a challenge," Feathers said. "It means we'll have to focus on the high-priority, big-ticket items."
Feathers said he will put in his bid to become the permanent city manager while the city council looks to fill the position.
"That's a decision that's up to the council," he said. "I only wish them the best and the best for the community."
Feathers was able to get a lot of insight into the position of city manager after working closely with Wellman, he said. The two have worked together, on and off, for about 30 years.
The opportunity to work alongside Wellman was one of the main reasons Feathers came to Atwater after working as the budget director for Modesto and later as the assistant finance director for Ceres, he said.
Wellman hopes Feathers will be able to pick up where he leaves off and provide the city with a seamless transition.
"The council has made a very wise decision while they consider transition," Wellman said.
Feathers will serve as interim city manager until about April 2011, Faul said. In the meantime, the city is fortunate to have him to help guide the council.
Said Faul: "The City Council will encourage Mr. Feathers and other candidates to participate in the open recruitment for a permanent city manager that will begin later this year."
Reporter Mike North can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or mnorth@mercedsun-star.com.
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