City Council Interviews for City Manager Position – July 25, 2025

The Sioux City City Council conducted interviews with two finalists for the city manager position on July 25, 2025. The candidates were Craig Clark, city administrator of Austin, Minnesota (population 26,000), and Drew, city administrator of Winterset, Iowa (population 5,300). Each candidate answered a series of questions from the council, followed by questions submitted by the public. The council will make a final selection at a later date.

Interview with Craig Clark

• Background: Clark served 10.5 years as Austin's administrator, previously in Worthington, MN, and worked for U.S. congressmen. He holds a master's in public administration from Hamline University.
• Working with Council: Clark preferred that council members interact with department directors through the administrator to keep him informed, noting that council authority lies as a collective body.
• First 90 Days: He emphasized immersing himself in the community, meeting stakeholders, and understanding on-the-ground realities before proposing initiatives.
• Community Assets: Clark identified staff as Sioux City's most important asset, followed by capital equipment and infrastructure. He noted that neglecting maintenance leads to higher future costs.
• Council Direction: He stated his fidelity to elected officials and that he would advise against detrimental decisions but ultimately respect majority council votes.
• Intergovernmental Collaboration: Clark highlighted experiences with fire service contracts, joint comprehensive planning, and partnership with the school district on a municipal auditorium.
• Leadership Style: He described empowering department heads while respecting their expertise, using the metaphor of teaching people to "long for the endless immensity of the sea." He said subordinates would describe him as collaborative, though some may be frustrated when council decisions limit resources.
• Labor Relations: Clark has negotiated multiple collective bargaining agreements with eight bargaining groups in Austin and stressed the importance of staying competitive on compensation.
• Housing: He cited a market-rate apartment development using tax abatement as his proudest achievement, also advancing affordable housing through tax credit projects and code enforcement to preserve existing affordable stock.
• Diversity: Clark promoted a welcoming community designation, an honorary council member program for ethnic minorities, and attending cultural celebrations.
• Stress Management: He mentioned woodworking, family activities, and attending community festivals as outlets.
• Greatest Accomplishment/Disappointment: Proudest of the Mill on Maine housing project; disappointment in not always meeting department head expectations.

Interview with Drew

• Background: Drew has been Winterset's administrator for 4.5 years, with a master's in public administration from Drake University and 20 years in the Iowa Army National Guard, including service in Sioux City. He has five children.
• First 90 Days: His focus would be building trust inside-out, starting with internal staff, then external stakeholders, and meeting state/federal representatives.
• Intergovernmental Collaboration: He cited experience as an emergency manager across county and state lines, including a regional pandemic response compact.
• Scaling to Larger City: Drew acknowledged the challenge but noted his military leadership of large organizations prepared him for the responsibilities.
• Council Direction: He sees a fiduciary duty to advise against detrimental policies but respects the council's final vote.
• Affordable Housing: Drew recommended analyzing commuting patterns to determine housing needs, and leveraging state workforce housing tax credits. He noted that tax increment financing may not be the best tool.
• Leadership Style: He described himself as authentic, empowering employees to make decisions within their authority, and addressing performance issues immediately rather than waiting for annual reviews.
• Council Interaction with Staff: Drew encouraged council to direct citizens through normal channels and follow up, rather than bypassing staff, to maintain efficiency.
• Workplace Culture: He believes in communicating expectations clearly and providing tools/training. He promotes team-building and recognition.
• Downtown Development: He oversaw a facade improvement program and standards, and partnered with a developer to turn an old school into 27 workforce housing units.
• Transparency and Diversity: He praised Sioux City's website and citizen guide to property taxes. For diversity, he supports broad advertising and encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
• Stress Management: He cited family, golf, and blocking time for preparation to reduce stress.
• Most Influential: Ken Burke, the late Winterset police chief, who encouraged him to become city administrator.

Public Questions

• Motivation: Clark cited perfectionism and community improvement; Drew cited providing for his family.
• Conflict Management: Clark emphasized being a fair broker of facts and focusing on broader goals; Drew prefers direct, early conversations rather than letting issues fester.
• Homelessness: Clark said Austin has limited homelessness and connects individuals with services; Drew recommended researching proven strategies from other regions.
• Weed Control: Clark noted enforcement through code violations with financial penalties; Drew said the street department manages city property and code enforcement enforces citizen responsibility.
• Other topics: Both candidates addressed economic development balance, transparency, engaging diverse populations, and building cross-department teams.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. The council will deliberate and choose the next city manager.
• The interviews concluded with expressions of appreciation from both candidates and council members.