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Naples City Manager Bob Lee will be sticking around a little bit longer.

The Naples City Council approved an agreement Wednesday that would allow the city to retain Lee as a part-time, hourly consultant through the end of January.

Lee resigned in June to take a job at Florida State University. His last day is Oct. 19.

The agreement will allow the city to contract with Lee hourly to answer questions, review documents and e-mails, and participate in meetings via telephone or in person.

Lee also would be available to answer each question raised by individual council members, and assist the city’s new city manager during the first few weeks on the job.

“My position ends Oct. 19,” he said. “This is not to continue as city manager. Unfortunately I’m not able to be in two places at one time, (but) I do believe I can provide assistance.”

According to the agreement, Lee would work no more than 12 hours a week at a rate of $110 an hour. The total hours of the agreement wouldn’t exceed 168 hours for a total not-to-exceed $18,480.

Lee’s agreement originally had the contract ending at the end of December, but council amended the agreement at the advice of City Attorney Bob Pritt.

“I’d be receptive to doing whatever is needed for a smooth transition,” Lee said.

Council also discussed who would take over for Lee once he resigns, and before a new city manager takes the helm.

Councilman Gary Price said he hoped the city would consider contracting with the Florida League of Cities to hire an interim city manager.

Some other council members balked at the idea.

Mayor Bill Barnett said that by the time the city found an interim city manager, came up with a contract and showed him the ropes, the new city manager would be ready to take over.

“If I didn’t have the comfort of having Dr. Lee in e-mail range, I would support the idea,” Barnett said.

Regardless of whether the city contracts with the Florida League of Cities or appoints an internal interim city manager, Pritt said they need to have someone in place to take the helm when Lee leaves office on Oct. 19.

“We have to have someone cloaked as the chief operating officer,” he said.

City Council will discuss an interim city manager during an Oct. 17 meeting. Council also decided to revisit the idea of contracting with an interim city manager on Oct. 23, if they are unable to choose a city manager.