In a special University Park city council meeting Thursday afternoon, council members approved the provision and appointment of an executive position.

Five minutes into the meeting, council voted unanimously (3-0) for the new city post and named Robbie Corder, University Park’s director of community development, the city’s first assistant city manager.

Following a nearly hour-long closed executive session, councilmembers Dawn Moore and Tommy Stewart and Mayor Pro Tem Bob Clark voted for the new city position after minimal discussion. (Mayor Dick Davis and councilman Bob Begert were not present at the city council meeting but were excused, Clark said. Both Davis and Begert listened to the executive session by telephone.)

“I think it’s a good time for us to look at bringing on an assistant city manager… [with] the difficulties and things that are in front of the city,” Stewart said before making a motion for the addition of the position and appointing Corder.

Councilwoman Moore seconded both motions, and council took an official vote. Following the brief special meeting, Corder was met with handshakes and words of congratulations from city staff and council members.

Corder’s new gig is all but a done deal, save for the finalization of his employment contract. He said he will continue to act as director of community development while simultaneously filling the role of assistant city manager.

He said he isn’t yet sure what the day-to-day of his new joint position will look like but that City Manager Bob Livingston will aid him in creating a transition plan.

When asked about the possibility of eventually becoming UP's city manager, Corder said he would be open to the idea.

“I don’t want to speak for the mayor and council, but if given that opportunity, I’d welcome it with open arms,” he said.

“This is a tremendous community. You can’t say enough about it. It’s a small town, but it’s got great schools, great parks, great employees, great citizens, so [becoming city manager eventually] would be a great move for me.”

A graduate of the University of Kansas, Corder came to University Park after working as an assistant to the Town Manager of Prescott Valley, Arizona. He has been with the City of University Park since 2004.