Russo's potential move across the Oakland-Alameda estuary comes after months of feuding with Mayor Jean Quan and some council members, who have blamed him for thwarting proposed cannabis cultivation regulations.
Quan's mayoral adviser has also challenged Russo over proposed injunctions to limit the movements of accused gang members. His departure could sink the effort, which is supported by the Oakland Police Department.
Russo declined to comment Friday about the possible move, but he has clearly been unhappy with the political situation in Oakland. The acrimonious relationship he had with elected officials led to rumors, often spread by critics, that Russo planned to leave.
Although he has expressed frustration, Russo has denied he was looking for another job. He is the second city official to seek another job after butting heads with city officials. Police Chief Anthony Batts was recently passed over for the chief's job in San Jose and decided to stay in Oakland after Quan promised her support.
Alameda opened up the application process on Feb. 1, according to two council members. Last Saturday, they interviewed six people and whittled the finalists down to three. A citizens committee will be appointed to interview the candidates, and a final decision is expected in March.
Russo, whose annual salary in Oakland is about $214,000, would probably get a pay raise. Alameda's most recent interim and acting city managers made about $250,000, including benefits, and that could go up.
The job in Alameda would thrust Russo into the contentious issue of developing the former Alameda Naval Air Station, now known as Alameda Point. The property was expected to be a boon to the city after the base closed in 1997, but it has languished unused and remains federal property.
The new city manager in Alameda would also have to hire both a police and fire chief, positions currently being held down on an interim basis.
"We have a lot of pressing issues," Alameda Mayor Marie Gilmore said Friday.
Russo donated $1,750 in the last election to a new council majority of Gilmore and council members Lena Tam and Rob Bonta according to campaign finance records. The three have the power to select the next city attorney.
In Oakland, the divides involving Russo have ostensibly been about two issues: cannabis cultivation regulations, which have been pushed by the council, and gang injunctions, which have been pushed by Russo.
Russo declined to sign a City Council ordinance that would have set regulations for large-scale pot growing. Russo, who supports legalization of marijuana, refused to represent the council on the issue after the Alameda County district attorney and the U.S. Attorney's Office each sent letters to the city saying the ordinance is illegal.
In the aftermath, Quan and council members Rebecca Kaplan, Desley Brooks and Nancy Nadel each criticized Russo, saying he baited federal rebuke by asking for legal advice. His office says he acted at the council's direction.
The issue of gang injunctions, which would, among other things, restrict the movements of gang members within "safety zones," has created the most controversy.
The biggest critic has been Quan's adviser and Councilwoman Jane Brunner's employer, Dan Siegel, who has sought to represent all the accused gang members. The cases are now being handled by Siegel's son, Michael, another employee of Siegel's firm.
Russo said the City Charter makes him the sole attorney for the mayor and the council. Siegel and Quan have so far refused to release two documents relating to disputed issues. They cited attorney-client privilege - a right that Russo says the mayor can have only with the city attorney.
E-mail Matthai Kuruvila at mkuruvila@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page C - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle
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