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A white city-owned van pulled up in front of Naples City Hall a little before 3 p.m. Monday.

After hours of sitting in City Hall waiting for their turn to get grilled before the Naples City Council, it was time for the six finalists for Naples city manager to take a field trip.

The two-hour tour was meant to familiarize them with the community, to show them the distinct neighborhoods that make up Naples and to relax from the pressures of interviewing.

The tour was part of the daylong interview each of the candidates went through Monday. But the day, which for some started before the sun came up, wasn’t over when the van returned to City Hall around 5 p.m.

Applicants still needed to attend a candidate reception, where they got to meet and greet the people who make up the city.

“It’s a wonderful community,” interim City Manager Chet Hunt said as the tour began.

The candidates are Peekskill, N.Y., City Manager Dan Fitzpatrick; Chatham, Mass., Town Manager William Hinchey; Marco Island City Manager Bill Moss; Cape Coral Assistant City Manager Hector Rivera; Sunrise City Manager Pat Salerno and Isle of Palms, S.C., City Administrator Linda Lovvorn Tucker.

The tour took them to the northern edge of the city, looped past beachfront property and through the city’s River Park neighborhood, before heading to Fifth Avenue South, Third Street South and Port Royal.

“You don’t want to lose that character of Naples,” Hunt said. “Fifth Avenue South is the premier street (in Naples). It’s like walking through a botanical garden. It’s a pedestrian’s delight.”

Hunt wasn’t the only city official on the tour. Natural Resources Manager Mike Bauer, Parks Superintendent Joe Boscaglia and Utilities Director Bob Middleton were all on hand to answer any questions that came up.

As the van slowly drove down the tree-lined streets, Boscaglia explained the city’s canopy tree designation and the beautification projects that are in the works.

“This is a (city) that takes its beautification very seriously,” he said.

The tour was an informal way for candidates to get their questions answered, after a day of interviews.

Candidates met with the City Council beginning at 8 a.m. They rotated through council chambers one at a time, each for an hourlong interview.

When they weren’t in council chambers, candidates were meeting with department heads, City Attorney Bob Pritt, City Clerk Tara Norman and former City Manager Bob Lee.

Candidates will have the same busy schedule Tuesday, with one exception: At the end of the day, one of them will be chosen as city manager.

While Monday’s interviews were done in front of the full council, candidates will have a chance to meet one-on-one with individual council members during Tuesday’s interviews.

Candidates will spend 45 minutes with each council member, beginning with Mayor Bill Barnett, before ending their day shortly before noon.

A special meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. It’s during that meeting that council will be asked to choose the next city manager.

Contract negotiations are expected to begin shortly after council makes its decision.

The Naples City Council meets beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, Eighth Street South.