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01-27-1981 - Special ~ ~ ~ v Q CITY OF EDGEWATER CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 27, 1981 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Robert H. Christy called the Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Edgewater to order at 2:15 P.M. in the Conference Room. ~ ROLL CALL Mayor Robert H. Christy Councilman Jacob Lodico Councilman David C. Ledbetter Councilman Wilbert Pendleton Councilman John T. Wilbur City Attorney Clay.Henderson City Clerk Nancy F. Blazi Police Chief Earl Baugh Present Present Present (arrived late) Present Present Present Present Present The purpose of the Special Meeting was to discuss hiring of a City Manager. The meeting was called for by Vice Mayor Jacob Lodico. Vice Mayor Lodico discussed the reason for calling the meeting to discuss hiring a City Manager because when the citizens elected him during the campaign he had stated he was for hiring a City Manager. Mayor Christy questioned Councilman Lodico if he had considered the existing budgets. Councilman Lodico stated he thought the Council should at least discuss the subject. City Attorney Henderson clarified the City's position on the subject according to the City Charter and Florida Statutes regarding hiring of a City Manager. After researching the laws and the referendum voted on in 1973, he stated he saw no legal restrictions against h1ring a City Manager, however the budget would have to be amended to find funds and the appointment must be done by ordinance. Mayor Christy questioned the fact the people voted against having a City Manager in 1973. City Attorney Henderson stated the referendum failed and the City must return to the City Charter. Councilman Wilbur said the population of the City had grown since 1973 when the people had voted. Mayor Christy reminded the Council the people did not want a City Manager at that time, and there is nothing in the budget to provide for his salary. He stated there were other things in the City that needed to be done, like roads and sewers, which were needed more than a City Manager. There was a discussion concerning the budget and whether or not the funds could be allotted from other departments to accommodate a City Manager. It was also discussed what other City Managers were receiving in the surrounding cities. Councilman Lodico spoke on the previous City Manager that was hired and the benefit he was to the City. He stated a garage was built for less money and his salary was justified. Mayor Christy disagreed with Councilman Lodico that it was the efforts of the Council and not the City Manager to obtain this garage for less money. J ''!' f ~ (.) Councilman Lodico defended his statement on the efforts of the City Nanager. Councilman Wilbur stated a good City Manager could double his salary in obtaining grants, in zoning and planning for the City's growth. Mayor Christy said the Council should work together in obtaining applications for grants and get the money into areas needed. The City already has instituted the CETA program which has proved helpful. Councilman Lodico said there is a lot of time and money wasted in the various departments. Councilman Pendleton questioned the qualifications of the prior City Manager. Councilman Ledbetter stated he carne to the City with good qualifications. Councilman Pendleton said a City Manager today is a trained professional and not all are alike. He further stated he did not like the reason for the meetings being called today, that at this time he had not considered hiring a City Manager because it is not in the budget. Councilman Lodico stated he knew it would take a long time before a City Manager would be hired but now is the time to lay the groundwork. Councilman Ledbetter said he was not against a City Manager but there is no money in the budget. There was further discussion regarding the qualifications for a City Manager and the budget allotted, and the possible use of Federal Revenue. The City Clerk suggested contacting various cities regarding job descriptions and salary structures to use as guidelines. Councilman Pendleton made a motion to authorize the City Clerk to obtain information regarding job descriptions, qualifications and salary structures of other City's City Managers. Councilman Wilbur seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion CARRIED 5-0. Mayor Christy stated, as a matter of record, he was not in favor of hiring a City Manager, however he was not against obtaining information. There was no further comments from the Council. ADJOURN Councilman Wilbur made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Councilman Ledbetter seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned. Patsy L. McCann ~ ~::; ~~V: Mayor Minutes submitted by: ATTEST: 2- " /~( APPROVED THIS ~ - DAY OF ~@;;~ 7~ Clty Cle ~ Mayor bX~U ') e- C( Councilman Special Council Meeting 1/27/81 -2-