Cincinnati City Manager John Shirey was rated "average" by city council in his performance review Thursday and will not get a raise.
Mr. Shirey, on the job since October 1993, was given a "very favorable" rating last year and a 3 percent raise.
After spending five hours and 10 minutes in a closed-door session, council members deferred to Mayor Roxanne Qualls to speak on their behalf.
Ms. Qualls cited two areas where council said Mr. Shirey needs work: increasing his leadership on bettering police-community relations, and improving customer service throughout city government.
Mr. Shirey's nine bosses also "highlighted areas of accomplishment, especially noting the manager's leadership during the flood emergency," she said.
Council first spent more than three hours in discussion without Mr. Shirey present, then 90 minutes with Mr. Shirey and finally 25 more minutes without Mr. Shirey.
Mr. Shirey makes $135,585 and receives a $7,500 annual contribution to a retirement plan. The former Long Beach, Calif., assistant city manager succeeded Gerald Newfarmer, who was forced to resign.
Ms. Qualls said Mr. Shirey's job is secure.
"I don't have any reaction. We had the review and that was it," Mr. Shirey said.
When asked whether he planned to look for another job, Mr. Shirey declined to comment.
Last year, there was "general discussion" with Mr. Shirey on improvement needed in communication and implementation of council policy. Ms. Qualls said those issues came up again this year.
Last week, Mr. Shirey gave council a report detailing his accomplishments last year. He cited improved services to neighborhoods, downtown successes and more efficient government.
Last week, Vice Mayor Tyrone Yates said Mr. Shirey rated a B+. Mr. Yates, who left the review about 15 minutes early, said he would support an appropriate cost-of-living increase.
