City moves forward with plans
Cassens assumes role as manager

Charlie Cassens hasn’t moved his supplies to a new office, but for the next week he will have an additional title to add to Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs Manager.

The City Council chose Tuesday night to appoint Cassens as the temporary city manager. The council will then select an interim city manager during its regular meeting next Tuesday. Cassens views his role as a sit-in position and said he has not decided whether he will consider filling the interim role after Tuesday nor the permanent city manager position.

“I’m just kind of shell-shocked at this point,” he said. “I can’t make that decision right now. Right now I’m assuming signature responsibilities for all the volumes of paperwork that have come across that desk.”

He added that he has met with various department heads to discuss strategy for the week.

“We are deciding right now how to move forward, and the city right now has entrusted me to keep a lid on things for the next week,” he said. “That is what I am focused on right now.”

Former City Manager Richard Kaffenberger was fired after a 4-3 vote during Monday night’s special meeting. Kaffenberger “has not cleaned out his office yet,” Cassens said, adding that the termination was effective immediately following the decision.

Kaffenberger did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday.

Mayor Mark Nexsen said late Tuesday that the council would review interest within city staff to fill the interim city manager position and that Cassens’ new role would only continue up until an appointment Tuesday.

The council agenda includes an item for a public hearing on the appointment of an interim city manager for the regular meeting, but there is no item discussing the hiring of a permanent replacement.

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com.