AUBURN — A former city recreation superintendent and New Auburn businessman said Tuesday he will seek a spot on the City Council this fall.

Leroy Walker, 62, was set to announce his intention for the Ward 5 council seat at a meeting of the United New Auburn Association on Tuesday night.

“We need a new city council,” Walker said. “The council we have right now is just not doing the job that needs to be done. They’re disconnected, and we need to get them reconnected to the people, the city manager and the School Department.”

Walker serves as chairman of the United New Auburn Association, which formed to discuss New Auburn issues after the 2005 citywide revaluation. He said he would resign as chairman if elected to the City Council.

Walker owns New Auburn restaurant and bar Andy’s Baked Beans on Broad Street. He worked for the city, as recreation superintendent until January, completing 39 years as a city employee

That gives him a good perspective, he said.

“I really think this council drove things to where they have been,” he said. “I hope I can really work with the city manager and get in his head. It’s important that the people that work for the city are not sitting on pins all the time. We need to change that.”

Walker is the first candidate to announce plans to run for office in Auburn. Fifteen elected positions are up this November. That includes the five ward councilors, two at-large councilors, the mayor and all School Committee members.

[email protected]