A decision to move City Manager Paul Sparks to a full-time position as head of the port authority could be tabled for two weeks if the council follows the recommendations of Mayor Jean Eaton and Sparks.

&uot;At this time the possible pork plant is very important and it is critical that we show some consistency,&uot; Eaton said. &uot;Paul is very vital for the success of this as we’re taking on this process.&uot;

Sparks currently holds the position as head of the port authority, but he holds that role in addition to his full-time city manager position. The proposal would move him to the port authority job and open up the city manager job for a new hire.

The council had planned on making the decision at Monday night’s meeting, but at the urging of Eaton and Sparks, it could be moved back.

Eaton said her recommendation also comes because the city still must work out changes in the city code, which defines the jobs of city manager and port authority director.

&uot;We have some other details we have to finalize in our proposed changes to the ordinance,&uot; she said. Eaton did not go into to detail on what those changes would be.

City Councilman Randy Erdman said he felt it was best to put the change off.

&uot;I think it’s probably good that we table it,&uot; Erdman said. &uot;The number-one priority for the council right now is to try to bring the pork plant to town. That would be our big home run.&uot;

The council still has the option of voting on the resolution Monday, but Erdman said the decision could possibly be tabled until the pork plant decisions are made.

A group of pork-industry investors calling themselves Premium Pork, LLC is considering Albert Lea, along with two other Midwestern cities, for a hog-slaughtering and processing plant, corporate headquarters and visitors’ center that could eventually employ as many as 2,000.