Issaquah Mayor Visits Chicago To Research City Admin Finalist

ISSAQUAH, WA — Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly traveled to the Chicago area this week to research city administrator finalist Wally Bobkiewicz. Pauly made the trip in part to learn more about a discrimination suit filed against Bobkiewicz several years ago by an Evanston city employee.

Bobkiewicz is one of two candidates for the city administrator job along with Tigard, Ore., City Manager Marty Wine. Pauly has said that Bobkiewicz received more favorable comments, putting him in front of Wine.

In 2016, former Evanston Public Works Director Suzette Robinson filed a discrimination lawsuit against Bobkiewicz and other city officials. The city eventually settled for $500,000 without admitting wrongdoing. Pauly said she wanted to visit Evanston in part to "fully understand the issues and to look deeper than what appears in the media."

"As part of my due diligence, following the community and staff meetings I elected to do a site visit to Evanston and do additional research in Wally’s current community by connecting with community members, Council, staff and senior leadership. I am strongly encouraged by what I observed. I believe Wally Bobkiewicz shares my values and those of the Issaquah community. I was impressed by the evidence of Wally’s leadership and how his team reflects the community they serve," she said in a statement.

Pauly said that about 25 Issaquah residents, 30 city staff, and every member of the City Council have so far submitted feedback about Wine and Bobkiewicz.

"I want to tell you how much I appreciate the time that everyone took to engage and the very thoughtful comments that I received," Pauly said at the Evanston City Council's Aug. 5 meeting. "I'm still continuing on my due diligence work for this hire and I will be bringing council up to date on what I'm learning and am hopeful to have an appointment for council consideration of confirmation in the next few weeks."

Current Issaquah City Administrator Emily Moon submitted her resignation in March, saying that she is leaving to "pursue a long-held dream to travel extensively." But the Issaquah Reporter has reported that the city's work culture was "toxically dysfunctional."

The Issaquah City Council is expected to vote on Pauly's recommended candidate before the end of August.

Patch reporter Jonah Meadows contributed to this story