Tom Muehlenbeck was very impressed with Bainbridge Island when he visited for the first time last week.

Though he went hopping from meeting to meeting with council members and city staff, he did manage to step into a few of the downtown businesses and restaurants to immerse himself in the island’s character.

“It’s great community,” he said.

Muehlenbeck didn’t have too much time to divert from his mission, however. The purpose of his trip was to represent Strategic Government Resources, the company hired to search for the city’s next manager.

“I think everyone was very positive,” Muehlenbeck said. “They are looking for administrative leadership, that much is pretty clear.”

Meeting with each council member, plus city workers, he took note of their perceptions of the island and opinions of what the city needs in its next top executive.

“I needed to know the council is receptive to a manager, and the staff is looking for leadership,” Muehlenbeck said.

Muehlenbeck’s interviews will help frame the executive search. Initially, the firm is concentrating on producing a brochure to attract prospective candidates for the position.

Muehlenbeck also noted that the council wanted to make sure that the process was carried out in the most cost-effective way possible.

“We are right on target, right where we should be,” Muehlenbeck said. “We’re going on to the second step to talk with the community.”

Two open public forums have been proposed by the city for Monday, May 7; one from 9 to 11 a.m. and another from 6 to 8 p.m.

An additional public forum is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 8.

The next two days are meetings with interest groups ranging from city’s many advisory committees to the chamber of commerce, among others