By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson appointed herself and Councilman Mark Hughes Tuesday night to be the Benicia City Council’s subcommittee to discuss labor issues with city manager candidates.

The city has been looking for a successor for City Manager Jim Erickson since he told the Council May 6 he wanted to retire July 15.

Since then, he agreed to continue as interim city manager until his replacement is hired.

Patterson’s nominations were affirmed swiftly and unanimously by the Council, with no discussion or comments.

Afterward, the Council went into a closed session to discuss not only its hunt for a new city manager, but also the status and future of the Nationwide automobile auction sign on city right of way between Stone Road and East Second Street.

For that discussion, the Council was joined by Erickson and Economic Development Manager Amalia Lorentz.

In addition, the Council, with Erickson and Administrative Services Director Anne Cardwell, had a closed-door conference with labor negotiators for the Benicia middle and senior management groups, Benicia Public Service Employees’ Association, Benicia Police Officers Association, Benicia Firefighters Association, Benicia Dispatchers Association and police management.

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