09-09-1988 - Workshop
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CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER .
WORKSHOP
SEPTEMBER 9, 1988
MINUTES
Mayor Baugh called the Workshop to order at 6:00 P.M. in the conference room
in City Hall. He stated the purpose was for review and discussion of the
short listed applications for the position of City Manager.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Earl Baugh
Councilman Louis Rotundo
Councilman Russell Prater
Councilman Neil Asting
Councilman David Mitchum
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
City Attorney Jose' Alvarez
Interim City Manager Dennis Kelly
Acting City Clerk Susan Wadsworth
Chief Lawrence Schumaker
Excused
Excused
Present
Present
Also present was Mr. W. E. "Pete" Knowles, Chairman of the City Manager Screening
Committee.
Mr. Knowles stated they passed the emergency ordinance April 4, 1988, and under
Florida Statutes an emergency ordinance is only good for 90 days and then it
automatically expires, therefore, the City no longer has a City Manager form of
government as it expired August 4, 1988. He suggested they take steps immediately
to place an ordinance through the regular adoption procedure with two hearings
and in the meantime, they're in limbo. Mayor Baugh questioned why they weren't
informed by the City Manager and the legal staff that it was running out.
Mr. Knowles suggested they take steps for a Council motion to appoint Dennis Kelly
as Interim City Manager which would be the same as:a resolution. Councilman Rotundo
questioned if the ordinance was just for Dennis Kelly and Mr. Knowles replied that
it was just for the creation of the position in keeping with the vote taken in
February. Mayor Baugh asked if a special meeting should be called and Mr. Knowles
replied yes. Mr. Knowles suggested that 88-0-11 be put into permanent form at a
regular meeting. Mayor Baugh asked if any emergency ordinance the Council has
passed would not be in effect and Mr. Knowles replied yes. Councilman Rotundo
stated it was the fault of the City Attorney. Mayor Baugh asked that it be
researched and Councilman Asting suggested they call a special meeting.
Mayor Baugh stated they'll call a meeting to take action on the status of the
position of City Manager and direct the City Attorney to draw up an ordinance
for first reading. It was agreed to have the meeting on Tuesday, September 13,
1988, at 7:00 PM in the conference room of City Hall, to allow time for public
notification of the meeting.
Mayor Baugh asked if they should proceed with the selection and Mr. Knowles
replied yes, based on the meeting they would be holding. Mr. Knowles suggested
they have packets for the applicants, including the ordinance creating the office,
the Charter, and the budget. Mayor Baugh asked if they should mail the packet
and Mr. Knowles replied yes. Mayor Baugh requested the Acting City Clerk get
the information ready for them.
Mr. Knowles then spoke on the voters performance approval every two years,
pointing out there will be no recognition from the State or International
professional associations. He suggested the applicants be advised of this
pending ordinance. He stated it's now an elected office.
Councilman Asting asked about a contract and Mr. Knowles replied Council has to
decide if they will agree to a contract, but if they want a review in two
years, it won't coincide with the employment date. He stated the City Manager
is under the Council's direction and Council determines the level of performance
that's acceptable or not acceptable. He reviewed the technical position of a
City Manager. He suggested Council notify the public they favor rescinding of
the ordinance for voter review. There was brief discussion regarding protection
afforded with a contract.
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Mayor Baugh reviewed the normal procedure for handling ordinances with
ten days advertising between the readings. Mr. Knowles suggested the
City Attorney approve the 10 days for the readings.
Mr. Knowles suggested Council determine how many and who to interview.
Mayor Baugh recommended the top 5 the Committee recommended be considered
first. He stated they did an excellent job of reviewing the applications
and the top 5 are excellent choices, and if they don't come to agreement
from the top 5, they could go to the next 6.
Councilman Mitchum stated he short listed by priority. He thanked Mr.
Knowles for all his work. He stated that he listed Dennis Kelly as number
one because of the work he's done in the 6 months he's been here. He
pointed out the interview costs will be about $2,000 and he didn't want to
waste taxpayers' money when they have the man in the position to do the job.
He further commented on the various projects Mr. Kelly has handled in an
efficient manner. He suggested they interview Dennis Kelly and negotiate
with him as the contract was very negotiable, but he wants some stability
as any other manager would. He suggested they hold the other applicants in
check and negotiate with Dennis Kelly.
Councilman Rotundo suggested they interview the other people as a precautionary
measure. Councilman Asting also suggested they should interview the short list.
Councilman Prater agreed and noted that he didn't short list from resumes but
he has a choice selected which could change after interviews. It was agreed
to interview those on the short list. There was a discussion about available
dates and times for the interviews and it was agreed to meet at 6:00 P.M. on
Tuesday, September 20th; Wednesday, September 21st; Thursday, September 22nd;
Tuesday, September 27th; and Wednesday, September 28th, for the five interviews
and then on Thursday, September 29th to hold a special meeting for selection
of the City Manager. Mayor Baugh asked that Acting City Clerk Wadsworth arrange
the interviews. Mr. Knowles suggested they determine the fields they're
interested in for responses and to use the evaluation sheet he'd supplied
earlier this year as a basis. Mr. Knowles suggested they may want them to
bring their latest audit from their previous city. Councilman Rotundo asked
if salary should be mentioned and Mr. Knowles replied yes, and ask what the
applicant is receiving now in salary and benefits, and what he'd expect in benefits.
Mr. Knowles suggested the standard contract be put in their packets. He pointed
out a manager will want to attend the professional meetings once a year for
State and International, and will want to attend the League of Cities meetings also.
Councilman Rotundo asked if they could call someone back a second time and Mr.
Knowles replied yes.
Mayor Baugh again thanked Mr. Knowles for his time. Councilman Rotundo asked
about compensation and Mr. Knowles replied he does this as the Florida Range
Rider, and it's free of charge and the International and State Associations pay
the mileage.
Councilman Asting moved to adjourn. Councilman Prater seconded the motion.
Workshop was adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
Minutes submitted by:
Lura Sue Koser
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CUNCILMAN - ZONE TWO ~
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CO~N- NET E ~
COUNCILMAN - ZONE FOUR ~
ATTEST:
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ACTING CI11 CLERK
Approved this /9 day of
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MAY R /
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Council Workshop Minutes
September 9, 1988