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04-23-1981 - Workshop u u .--- ...._~ CITY OF EDGEWATER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP April 23, 1981 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Robert H. Christy called the workshop meeting of the City Council of the City of Edgewater to order at 2:00 PM in the Mayor's office. ROLL CALL Mayor Robert H. Christy Councilman Jacob Lodico Councilman David Ledbetter Councilman Wilbert Pendleton Councilman Joht T. Wilbur City Attorney Clay Henderson City Clerk Nancy F. Blazi Police Chief Earl Baugh Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present The purpose of this workshop was to interview, individually, applicants for the position of City Manager. Police Chief Baugh asked to be excused. All present excepting Mayor Christy approved and Mr. Baugh left. The City Clerk then suggested that as the applicants had arrived at different times, it would be proper to interview them in the order of their arrival. She also pointed out that Mr. White would be unable to attend as he was attending a hurricane conference out of town. Mr. Gary S. Roberts was then called in for interview. In response to Mr. Pendleton, Mr. Roberts gave a lengthy summary of his municipal experiences in Tuscambia, Ala. and Zephyrhills, FL. He spoke of up- grading employee salaries and benefits; revamping the utilities system; and developing an industrial park. Mr. Henderson then spoke of our local problems: need for paving, extending utilities and ad- justing to rapid growth. Mr. Roberts spoke of assessment programs and grants. In response to Mr. Henderson, Mr. Roberts indicated that he had secured an EDA grant; 2 FAA grants and a 701 grant. Mr. Henderson then asked why Mr. Roberts would want to leave Tallahassee to come to Edgewater and what he felt he could do for the city? Mr. Roberts said there were three reasons: (1) Several programs were voted down he wanted passed; (2) Individual problems of citizens he could do nothing about; and (3) He feels the best field for him to be in is local government. Mr. Ledbetter then asked what kind of salary he could accept. Mr. Roberts stated that something in the mid-20's would be acceptable. . After Mr. Roberts departed there was general agreement that the inter- views would have to be shortened in order that all could be seen in a reasonable time. It was decided to try to maintain a 20 minute average per candidate. Mr. John W. Cashion was then called in for interview. In response to the Mayor's request Mr. Cashion gave a brief summary of his work experi- ence indicating that his resume was all inclusive. H~ is presently the City Clerk and Assistant City Manager in Tarpon Springs, FL. Mr. Cashion indicated after a discussion of our local problems that some' relief could be found through consolidation and reduction of personnel and reduced spending. He also indicated that he had had some success in reducing costs for paving etc. by having the city personnel perform these functions themselves. Mr. Cashion as a Class A Contractor is capable of supervising building for the city. Mr. Pendleton then asked what kind of salary Mr. Cashion would require. Mr. Cashion (.) (.) . -" responded that he felt $22,500 to $25,000 would be satisfactory. There then followed a discussion regarding the self-paving program Mr. Cashion had supervised in Tarpon Springs. Mr. Henderson then asked about Mr. Cashion's computer experience. There then followed a general discussion about computers and Mr. Cashion's expertise. Mr. Cashion stated he had a degree in accounting, computer program- ing, market management, business administration and is now working on a masters in government administration with the John F. Kennedy School of Government Administration through Harvard. Mr. Cashion then asked about pension; health benefits etc. These programs were explained by Mayor Christy. Mr. Walter V. Dantzler was then called in for interview. Initially, Mr. Dantzler gave background information on himself. He most recently has worked for the City of St. Cloud, FL as Police Chief and City Manager. In reference to Mr. Henderson's questions, Mr. Dantzler indicated that while managing St. Cloud he had made up a budget deficit of $500,000 and gotten 201 and 701 grants. He also stated that he is unemployed at the present time. Mr. Pendleton then asked what St. Cloud's problems were that Mr. Dantzler handled. He answered that the need to buy electricity had escalated utility bills and also remarked on paving needs. The paving was done by 1/3 assessment. Mr. Henderson then asked where and when Mr. Dantzler got his law degree. Mr. Dantzler replied he received it through Blackstone correspondence courses in 1960. Mr. Ledbetter then asked what salary would be required. Mr. Dantzler responded that $20,000 would be satisfactory. Mayor Christy then explained pension/insurance benefits. Mr. Charles Merz was then called in for interview. In response to a request for general background, Mr. Merz produced an information sheet for all present. He then spoke about South Bay, FL, which is a town of about 4,000 on Lake Okeechobee with a large number of migrant workers and totally agricultural. Mr. Merz stated that it was a poor community and he was able to get some FHA grants to aid the community. He also got grants for recreational facilities from the Department of Community Affairs. Mr. Lodico questioned why Mr. Merz left as Town Manager of Palm Beach Shores. The answer was that there was some problem with coordinating with a full-time mayor. Mr. Ledbetter then asked what kind of salary was expected and Mr. Merz responded that $19,500 would meet his needs. Mayor Christy then enumerated the benefits program. Mr. Pendleton then asked if he had looked over the budget. Mr. Merz said yes and that he thought it was clear and the indebtedness quite manageable. Mr. Pendleton then questioned his involvement in having the boat ramp repaired in South Bay. Mr. Merz stated that he was able to have the South Florida Water District repair the boat ramp and the Corps of Engineers refurbish the picnic area at no cost to the city. At 3:50 PM a short recess was called. The interview session was called back to order at 4:00 PM. Mr. John W. Culick was then called in for interview. Mr. Culick began with a short synopsis of his work experience. Most recently he has worked in Florida for the Dept. of Agriculture directing a resident youth camp. He also indicated extensive labor relations experience. There followed a general discussion of local problems as listed in prior interviews. It was noted that Mr. Culick had attended a prior Council Workshop on City Managers and explained his thoughts on the City Manager job. All agreed that they were familiar with him. Mr. Ledbetter then asked what salary would be acceptable. Mr. Culick stated that he would need about $25,000. The Mayor then explained the employee benefits program. Mr. Culick then asked how the City Manager slot was established here. It was explained that it was by charter but that it would be molded by the Council in the future. The City Clerk also explained the setting procedure for the budget. Mr. Joseph M. Mitchell was then called in for interview. Mr. Mitchell initially gave a summary of his work background. Started as a city manager in 1958 and has worked as such in various places since. He is now Acting City Manager of Polk City. Mr. Mitchell was asked if he was familiar with our city and he said yes. He had looked over -2- u u the area and the budget and was fairly familiar with the way our city government was set up and run. There followed a a general discussion on the specific problems facing our city. Mr. Henderson then asked Mr. Mitchell's opinion/experience with grants. Mr. Mitchell felt the whole system would be changed by Reagan but that in his experience, the grants were there, the conditions for the grants was there and he got them. In response to Mr. Pendleton's questions regarding our budget Mr. Mitchell felt that a 1.2 or 1.3 million budget would be uncomplicated and he might want to simplify it. Mr. Henderson asked if Mr. Mitchell ever dealt with a city in transition to the city manager form of government. Mr. Mitchell said no but felt that as a strong city manager after some "umbilical cord cutting" the Mayor would be behind him. He would have to be responsible for budget, agenda etc. Mr. Ledbetter then asked what salary would be expected. Mr. Mitchell said he would come in low but would expect a raise if everything worked out. He felt $20,600 would be acceptable. The Mayor then explained the benefits package. Mr. Douglas S. Futch was then called in for interview. Mr. Futch began with a short summary of his work experience. Worked up from a file clerk to Administrative Director of Brevard County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Henderson then asked why a person would leave the job Mr. Futch now holds to come to Edgewater. Mr. Futch stated that he was ready for retirement and wanted a second income and felt that a small city would be-a challenge. Mr. Henderson then spoke about our local problems and asked what Mr. Futch felt he could do to help based on his experience. Mr. Futch stated that the expansion of services would probably have to be financed by user fees and bond issues. Mr. Futch then spoke on the problem of salt water intrusion. Mr. Ledbetter then asked about grants. Mr. Futch indicated that the Brevard Co. budget is 98 million, taxes are 23 million and the rest is made up of revenue sharing and grants. Mr. Ledbetter then asked how much salary Mr. Futch would require. Mr. Futch answered that it would depend upon the amount of his retirement but he estimated his needs at approximately $30,000. The Mayor reviewed benefits. Mr. Lodico then made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ledbetter. The workshop meeting was adjourned. Minutes submitted by: Holly Haeger -3-