• Sonny Long •
• Originally published January 31, 2009 at 11:09 p.m., updated January 31, 2009 at 11:09 p.m.

CUERO - Marie Gelles is finally, officially, the new city manager in Cuero.

Thursday night, the Cuero City Council voted 5-2 to hire Gelles, who has been serving as interim city manager since June 2008, as the city's full-time chief administrative officer.

"What a wonderful opportunity," Gelles said. "I was thrilled to be selected and I look forward to working with city council, employees and the community. I know that I will enjoy being a part of the community."

Gelles knows some challenges await her and the city.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to help lead the future growth of the city and to see the city grow and prosper. We have a number of challenges in front of us, especially in these difficult economic times," she said. "One of my top priorities will be to move forward with the recruitment and selection process to fill our three vacant department head positions."

She also plans to be involved with the business community, helping to keep the businesses and helping to bring in new businesses and jobs.

"I look forward to the challenges ahead of us and getting to know what the community wants our city to be," Gelles said.

In November, Gelles was named the top finalist from among more than 20 applicants, but a final vote on her hiring did not come until Thursday. Council members David Ruiz and Shirley Riemenschneider voted against hiring Gelles.

A three-member panel of council members, Brad Hedrick, Eric Pena and Linda Henderson, screened the applicants before narrowing the list to three.

The council then voted to name Gelles as the top finalist. Background checks and negotiations on an employment agreement followed.

Also Thursday, the screening committee came under fire as Ruiz filed a letter of grievance for the record against them. He also submitted a letter for the record that Gelles' application was incomplete and should not have been considered. The majority of the council thought otherwise.

Ruiz also questioned why Gelles wasn't put on probation as called for in the city's personnel manual. The council voted 5-2 to waive Gelles' probation.

Gelles served as the interim city manager through Texas First Group Replacement Service. The job became open when Corlis Riedesel retired a week after the May 2008 election. She had served as city manager for 10 years.

Prior to coming to Cuero, Gelles served as the chief administrative officer in Helotes from 2001-03. She also worked as the executive director of the Helotes Economic Development Corp. from 2005-07.

Additionally, she was the economic development manager for the San Antonio Water System, assistant court administrator for the Bexar County Commissioners Court, and was a budget and research analyst for the city of San Antonio.

• GELLES' AGREEMENT

  Marie Gelles will serve at the will and pleasure of the City Council under the applicable provisions of the city's Home Rule Charter with the following terms and conditions:

  1. Paid annual base salary of $84,000

  2. Will ...

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GELLES' AGREEMENT

Marie Gelles will serve at the will and pleasure of the City Council under the applicable provisions of the city's Home Rule Charter with the following terms and conditions:

1. Paid annual base salary of $84,000

2. Will receive six months severance pay if terminated by the City Council provided she is not terminated due to malfeasance.

3. She be allowed up to $5,000 relocation costs.

4. Waive probationary period for accrual and use of vacation and sick leave; and that she is credited with 52.36 vacation hours and 78.54 sick leave hours accrued since hired as interim city manager on June 16.

5. Health and life insurance.

6. Monthly car allowance of $400.

7. City will pay dues for membership in the Texas Municipal League and Texas City Managers Association.

8. City will pay dues for membership in local civic clubs and the Cuero Country Club.

9. Her employment with the City of Cuero begins on Feb. 1.

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