Byline: CITY BEAT/SPRINGFIELD By Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard

The pile of potential city managers to succeed retiring Mike Kelly is about to shrink.

On Monday, the City Council will hold a nonpublic executive session with Bob Murray, the executive search specialist hired

"It looks like a strong pool of candidates," said Spiry, noting the job was posted through August and attracted hopefuls from 25 states as well as two internal candidates.

This week, the council had the opportunity to view all 45 applications.

During Monday's executive session at 6:30 p.m., councilors will give their blessing to what Spiry called the "A pile" of applicants.

"They will confirm his short list and Bob will proceed with the next phase," Spiry said.

Murray then will interview this dozen or so and make another cut to determine five to seven semi-finalists who will be invited for interviews, Spiry said.

"This is a unique recruitment," Spiry said.

Ordinarily, hiring decisions are made entirely in private, but because the City Council will make this decision, Oregon public meeting law applies and members of the press will be allowed in the executive session.

"It's the only decision that falls under public meeting law," Spiry said of this hiring process.

The first round of interviews is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 21.

Two to four candidates will be asked to return the following week as finalists for a public meet-and-greet session Oct. 27 and more interviews Oct. 28.

Current City Manager Kelly, who had planned to retire by September, has agreed to stay on until his successor has accepted the job.

The council could be prepared to make a job offer as early as mid-November, but if the person is hired from outside the city, he or she might not start work until January or February.

"You have to allow for some flexibility," Spiry said. "It's all up to the council. This is the council's baby. It's their decision."

Not going to the game? Avoid Autzen area today

Because most people are not likely to heed the advice found in the Ticket section's Best Of... story in Friday's Register-Guard and walk to the Duck football game, the city has installed seven new informational signs to aid nonfootball drivers during today's game and future home games.

Nonfootball drivers are advised to avoid the general area of Centennial Boulevard and Pioneer Parkway from Autzen Stadium to Highway 126 and Q Street and use alternate routes if possible.

The signs have been installed in the following locations:

North side of South A Street, west of Pioneer Parkway West (for eastbound traffic).

North side of Main Street, east of Pioneer Parkway East (for westbound traffic).

East side of Pioneer Parkway East, just north of Main Street (for northbound traffic).

East side of Pioneer Parkway West, just north of Q Street (for southbound traffic).

North side of Centennial Boulevard, just east of Fifth Street (for westbound traffic).

East side of Fifth Street, just north of Centennial Boulevard (for northbound traffic).

West side of Fifth Street, just north of Centennial Boulevard (for southbound traffic).

These are hinged signs that will be open during the game, then closed as normal traffic resumes. The signs are in addition to the city's current traffic plan for game days.

Public library to begin

winter hours on Monday

Beginning Monday, the library will begin its winter hours, which are similar to its current hours.

The library now will open an hour earlier on Mondays and Tuesdays: from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hours remain the same Wednesday through Saturday: Wednesday, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, open noon to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Sunday.

The library staff wants to remind you that anyone living inside the city limits can obtain a free library card by showing identification with his or her name and current address. Children younger than 16 must have a parent's signature.

The library is located at 225 Fifth St. Call 726-3766 for more information.

Serena Markstrom can be reached at 338-2371 or smarkstrom@guardnet.com.