The City of Rosemount picked Dwight Johnson as its city administrator Tuesday night, following an announcement a week before that Austin city administrator Jim Hurm was one of five top candidates.

“First of all, they thought that everyone had a great amount of experience, and they thought that any one of them could have done the job,” Rosemount assistant city administrator Emmy Foster said. “With the needs of the city, they thought Dwight was the best fit.”

Johnson was the former village administrator of Homer Glen, Ill. Foster said St. Anthony city manager Michael Mornson was the council’s second pick. A total of 38 applied for the position in the south Twin Cities suburb, which has a population of 22,586.

Their decision came one day after Austin city council members evaluated Hurm during a closed work session meeting Monday.

Several city council members characterized his overall performance as “satisfactory,” saying that some were pleased and others raised concerns about the city administrator.

“He fell into the category of satisfactory performance,” 3rd Ward member Norm Hecimovich said.

Hecimovich wouldn’t provide further details, only adding that he is very pleased by the city’s operation overall.

“As a city, I think we operate as well as any city in the state of Minnesota,” Hecimovich said. “We have a plan for everything, and that’s the way things need to be.”

Council member at-large Pete Christopherson said he was one who raised concerns; he wants a more direct, consistent approach to issues by the city administrator.

“This stuff takes time, and you have to allow it to take time,” he said. “But if there’s a problem, let’s address it now.”

Christopherson also said his evaluation was influenced by news of the Rosemount job.

“It had some effect on me — you bet it did,” Christopherson said. “This isn’t the first time. And that says something to me.”

Others were less affected.

“It’s not an issue if he wants to apply for other work,” Jeff Austin, 1st Ward, said, adding, “I respect that; anyone should do that.”

Hurm had downplayed the Rosemount position last week. He said he was recruited for the job and thought it would be good experience to apply.

“If that 10 percent chance that I am offered the position, I don’t want to leave,” he said last week. “My God, I love my house, I love my work. …”

He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The evaluation came after urging from council member John Martin, 3rd Ward, who noted at past work session meetings the city has faltered in its feedback on work performance of department heads for years.

Martin and Mayor Tom Stiehm, who characterized the review as “kind of positive,” developed a categorical system that allowed each council member to rank performance.

Christopherson said he appreciated the format and hopes reviews continue to happen annually.

While council members will inform discussions, Hurm is responsible for evaluating other departmental heads, including the chief of police, city engineer, community development director and fire chief.

Hecimovich said none of those have taken place.

Hurm replaced Pat McGarvey, who retired as city administrator, in 2003. He is also executive director of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority, and helped spearhead the Main Street Project, a downtown revitalization effort.