The Bloomington City Council narrowed its search for a new city manager to two finalists following a special meeting Monday that featured interviews with four candidates.

After conducting structured interviews and deliberations, the council voted unanimously to advance Zach Walker, current city manager of Independence, Missouri, and Kathy Haden, Bloomington's current assistant city manager, to second interviews scheduled for Tuesday evening.

The four finalists also included Cindy Steinbach, deputy city administrator from Rochester, Minnesota, and Noah Chuckman, city manager of Golden Valley, Minnesota. Each candidate delivered presentations and answered questions about their leadership experience, strategic planning approaches, and vision for city management.

Walker, who has served as Independence's city manager for nine years, highlighted his experience with major economic development projects and financial management. He presented a case study of the East Gate redevelopment project, a $1 billion private investment that had been stalled for decades before his leadership helped bring it to completion.

Haden drew on her extensive background in Ramsey County government, including her role as public health director during the COVID-19 pandemic and her experience closing the county's care center. She emphasized her collaborative approach and experience with organizational change management.

The council will conduct unstructured interviews with the two finalists Tuesday at 7 p.m., with each candidate receiving approximately 45 minutes for more conversational exchanges. The final selection process will conclude following those interviews.