Madeira's assistant city manager, Lori Thompson, is set to become the city's next top administrator when council votes Monday on two ordinances formalizing her appointment.

The Oct. 12 council packet lists Ordinance Nos. 26-09 and 26-10, which together would appoint Thompson as interim and then permanent city manager. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Madeira Municipal Building, 7141 Miami Ave.

Thompson would succeed Michael Norton-Smith, who is leaving after four years to become city manager of Centerville. Monday, Oct. 12, is Norton-Smith's final day.

The appointment caps a search that moved quickly. Mayor Tom Henning announced Norton-Smith's departure at the Aug. 24 council meeting. By the Sept. 14 meeting, Vice Mayor Ramzi Takieddine told council the posting had drawn a good response and that applicant screening was underway.

The city conducted the search through executive sessions.

Thompson has served as Madeira's assistant city manager. Norton-Smith credited her in an August 2024 city manager's report as "the unsung hero" of the city's website overhaul. No public statement from Thompson about the appointment was available before publication.

In his final city manager's report, Norton-Smith wrote: "I'm proud of the work we've accomplished, with significant investments in our parks, roadways and equipment, but most importantly, in our people."

During Norton-Smith's tenure, council passed four annual budgets unanimously, completed McDonald Commons Park, installed 7,500 feet of sidewalks and carried out street and infrastructure repairs across the city, according to remarks Henning delivered at the Sept. 14 meeting.

Camargo Road change order

Also on Monday's consent agenda is Resolution No. 67-26, a $17,194.02 change order to the Camargo Road Reconstruction Project, Phase 1 contract with Rack and Ballauer Excavating Company. The addition, mostly for extra on-street parking spaces, brings the contract total to $1,613,129.81. The Public Works Committee reviewed the change order Sept. 21.

Construction crews on both Miami Avenue and Camargo Road are targeting Nov. 15 completion for paver sidewalk work. Norton-Smith's report said the goal is to give "Madeira retailers … a construction-free downtown during the holiday season."

Other business

Council will review the 2027 Priority Session Report from an Oct. 5 planning session. The Board of Zoning Appeals approved three variance requests at its Oct. 5 meeting and welcomed Samantha Hedges as its newest member.

Residents who want to speak virtually must email [email protected] with their name and address at least eight hours before the meeting. The next regular council meeting is Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m.