Hood River City Councilors approved an agreement with City Manager Steve Wheeler to allow him to continue on in his position as an independent contractor after his retirement becomes official on Thursday while the City conducts a search for his successor.  Mayor Paul Blackburn says it’s a good deal for the City.  Wheeler says he expects to remain on the job into the summer.  A Council sub-committee will be sorting through nine applications from firms who want to conduct Hood River’s City Manager search, and expect to recommend a firm to the full Council on March 26.