Minutes of the Work Session held on November 10, 2025 at 2:30 pm

Meeting Minutes 
City Council Work Session 
 
November 10, 2025 | 2:30 p.m. 
Council Chambers Conference Room 
88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 
 
 
Call to Order 
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Hartke at 2:32 p.m. 
 
Roll Call 
Council Attendance 
 
 
 
 
Appointee Attendance 
Mayor Kevin Hartke  
 
 
 
 
John Pombier, Acting City Manager 
Vice Mayor Christine Ellis   
 
 
 
Kelly Schwab, City Attorney  
Councilmember Angel Encinas   
 
 
Dana DeLong, City Clerk 
Councilmember Jane Poston 
 
 
 
  
Councilmember Matt Orlando   
 
 
Councilmember OD Harris 
 
 
 
 
Councilmember Jennifer Hawkins 
 
Staff in Attendance 
 
Dawn Lang, Deputy City Manager / Chief Financial Officer  
Ryan Peters, Deputy City Manager 
Leah Powell, Deputy City Manager 
Alexis Apodaca, Mayor & Council Public Affairs Senior Manager 
Matt Burdick, Communications & Public Affairs Director 
Kristin Maier, Human Resources Director 
Tawn Kao, Deputy City Attorney 
 
 
Discussion 
1. 
Discussion on Process for Recruitment/Employment of City Manager 
 
MAYOR HARTKE called for a staff presentation.  
 
JOHN POMBIER, Acting City Manager, introduced the discussion item.

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KRISTIN MAIER, Human Resources Director, presented the following presentation.  
• City Manager Hiring Process 
• City Manager Hiring Options 
o Appointment via Article III of the Chandler Charter 
o Hiring Process via Mosaic Public Partners 
• Article III. - City Manager 
o Section 3.01 Appointment, Compensation, Qualifications 
o The Council shall appoint a city manager for an indefinite term and fix his 
compensation. The manager shall be appointed solely on the basis of his executive 
and administrative qualifications.   
• Appointment Steps 
o Contract Negotiations 
o Establish Start Date 
• Mosaic Public Partners 
o National executive search firm specializing in public-sector leadership recruitment. 
o Past Chandler Experience 
▪ Chief of Police Search  
▪ Development Services Director Search 
• Mosaic Timeline 
o November 2025: Preparation begins 
o January–March 2026: Posting 
o March-April 2026: Presentation of Candidates to Council  
o April 2026: Interview Process Background  
o April –May 2026: Contract Negotiation  
o Start Date TBD   
 
MAYOR HARTKE asked if the $15,000 cost mentioned during the two-day in-person interview 
process was tied to bringing people in. 
 
MS. MAIER said yes. 
 
MS. MAIER continued the presentation.  
• Mosaic Cost 
o Flat Fee $39,500 
o Additional Service Costs  
▪ Onsite community, staff, or stakeholder forums: $1500 per day, per 
consultant, plus expenses 
▪ Additional on-site meeting days: $1500 per day, per consultant, plus expenses  
▪ Additional background checks: $250 per candidate 
▪ Additional reference checks: $750 per candidate 
▪ Other services: $250 per hour or $1500 per day, per consultant, plus expenses

Page 3 of 5 
 
• Thank you! Questions? 
 
MAYOR HARTKE said this process had started in June, but one of the questions on the November 
2025 ballot for consideration concerned city manager compensation in the City Charter. He noted 
that it was suggested to wait until after the election concluded. 
 
MS. MAIER noted that the recruiters recommended waiting until January, after the holidays.  
 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO said the timeline is not concrete, it is just a recommendation. 
 
MS. MAIER replied that the recruiter could adjust the timeline in accordance with the Council’s 
direction.  
 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked about the possibility of a shorter timeline, using tools such as 
virtual meetings. 
 
MS. MAIER said that was possible.  
 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO confirmed that the timeline can be shortened, allowing more time 
for the public input process. 
 
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked if the candidate profile development had been included in 
previous recruitments.  
 
MS. MAIER explained that the next step is that Mosaic Public Partners will interview Council for 
input on the candidate profile development.  
 
MAYOR HARTKE added that there are different panels, including a community panel, for 
interviewing potential appointees.  
 
COUNCILMEMBER ENCINAS asked if there is a way to tailor outreach and recruiting. 
 
MS. MAIER said the timeline is the recruiting agency’s recommendation, which can be adjusted.  
 
COUNCILMEMBER HAWKINS asked what is currently agreed upon between the city and Mosaic. 
 
MS. MAIER said they have been in discussion, but they have not performed any work for the city, 
and the city has not been billed. The initial step would be to conduct interviews with the Council 
to develop an ideal candidate profile to inform advertising planning.

Page 4 of 5 
 
Public Comment 
TERRI KIMBLE, Chandler, spoke regarding the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and expressed 
support for Acting City Manager John Pombier. Chamber of Commerce business members have 
experienced great accessibility and partnership with Chandler under his leadership.  
 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if Council is in agreement with going out to a hiring process 
via Mosaic Public Partners. 
 
MAYOR HARTKE said no. Council will go into Executive Session for discussion or consideration of 
employment of Acting City Manager, John Pombier and discussion and consultation with City 
Attorney for legal advice and to consider its position and instruct its attorneys regarding a contract 
for employment of or recruitment for City Manager. 
 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO said the timeframe has been discussed previously.  
 
MAYOR HARTKE said that conversation can continue in Executive Session.  
 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO emphasized public transparency of whatever option Council 
chooses.  
 
Set an Executive Session 
1. 
Personnel and Contract Matters--A.R.S. Section 38-431.03(A)(1) (A)(3) and (A)(4) - Discussion 
or consideration of employment of Acting City Manager, John Pombier and discussion and 
consultation with City Attorney for legal advice and to consider its position and instruct its 
attorneys regarding a contract for employment of or recruitment for City Manager. 
 
Motion and Vote 
Vice Mayor Ellis moved to hold an Executive Session Meeting immediately following the Work 
Session; Seconded by Councilmember Harris.  
 
Motion carried by majority (5-2), Councilmember Orlando and Councilmember Poston dissenting.  
 
Adjourn 
The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. 
 
 
ATTEST:  _______________________  
______________________________ 
                       City Clerk                                                   Mayor 
 
Approval Date of Minutes: December 8, 2025

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Certification 
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Work 
Session of the City Council of Chandler, Arizona, held on the 10th day of November 2025.  I further 
certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. 
 
DATED this _______ day of December, 2025. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
__________________________ 
                                                         
           City Clerk

1
Subject:
RE: City Manager
From: Jeff WENINGER <jweninger2@me.com> 
Sent: Thursday, November 6, 2025 2:35:42 PM (UTC-07:00) Arizona 
To: Mayor&Council <Mayor&Council@chandleraz.gov> 
Subject: City Manager 
Nov 6, 2025 Mayor and Chandler City Council Chandler City Hall 175 S. Arizona Ave. Chandler, AZ 85225 Subject: Support for the Appointment of John Pombier as Chandler’s City Manager Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers, As both a state legislator 
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Nov 6, 2025 
Mayor and Chandler City Council 
Chandler City Hall 
175 S. Arizona Ave. 
Chandler, AZ 85225 
Subject: Support for the Appointment of John Pombier as Chandler’s City Manager 
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers, 
As both a state legislator and a longtime resident of Chandler, I am writing to express my strong support for 
the appointment of John Pombier as the City Manager of the City of Chandler. 
Having witnessed Chandler’s continued success and steady leadership through periods of growth and change, I 
believe he has demonstrated the professionalism, vision, and collaboration needed to guide our city forward. 
John has shown a deep understanding of Chandler’s priorities, supporting public safety, economic 
development, infrastructure investment, and quality-of-life initiatives that make our community one of the 
best in the state. 
As a policymaker, I have had the opportunity to work with city leadership across Arizona, and I can confidently 
say that Chandler’s administration stands out for its effectiveness, responsiveness, and focus on results. John 
has upheld that tradition and strengthened the partnership between city government, local businesses, and 
residents. 
Agenda Item No. 1
City Council Work Session 
November 10, 2025

2
I strongly encourage the City Council to appoint John Pombier as Chandler’s City Manager to ensure 
continuity, stability, and continued excellence in governance. 
Respectfully, 
 
Jeff Weninger 
Resident of Chandler, Arizona