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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-05-04 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MAY 4,1989 The special meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona,was held on May 4,1989,at the Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bluntschly called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmen Present: Staff Present: Mayor Bluntschly Vice Mayor Damiano Councilman Connolly Councilman Cox Councilwoman Gardner Councilman Vehon Acting City Manager/City Clerk Kathleen Connelly Assistant to the City Manager George Hoffman Assistant Planner Julie Reid Associate Planner/Deputy Director Jim Nakagawa Assistant Planner Bob Dunn Zoning Administrator Charles Coleman DISCUSSION,CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON: A.TIME FRAME FOR FILLING OF CITY MANAGER POSITION (SELECTION BY PRESENT COUNCIL OR BY COUNCIL TO BE SEATED ON JUNE 6,1989) B.METHOD OF FILLING CITY MANAGER POSITION Mayor Bluntschly opened the item to discussion by Council and Council -elect. Councilman Cox stated that the new Council should make the appointment,as they are the ones who will have to work with the new City Manager,which will be easier i f they have hired that person. Councilman -elect Jimmy Eidson asked i f the Council has taken any action at all on this? Mayor Bluntschly answered "no". SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4,1989 PAGE 1 Councilman Vehon stated that there is not enough time for the existing Council to choose a City Manager,so the point is moot. Mayor Bluntschly agreed,and stated that Councilman Burgess and Councilman Connolly had asked for this meeting to be held. Councilman Connolly explained that the wish by himself and Councilman Burgess was to begin the process at this time,and asked the Council -elect i f they feel they are qualified to select a City Manager during their first or second meeting. Councilwoman -elect Sharyn Alger answered "yes". Councilman Connolly stated that the desire was to begin the process now,with the input of the incoming Council. Mayor Bluntschly stated that the applicant,whoever that might be,should not be subjected to public interview but as the Council -elect cannot attend Executive Sessions,only a process can be selected at this time. Councilwoman Gardner commented that only the method to be used in the hiring of a City Manager was to be chosen at this time. Mayor Bluntschly stated that the method can be chosen at this time. Councilman Vehon stated that the new Council selecting the City Manager is the only feasible decision,but that a suggestion was to wait for three to six months after that prior to selecting a City Manager,which would be too long a period of time to go without a City Manager. Councilman Connolly stated that he and Councilman Burgess expect to have no part in the selection of City Manager. Councilwoman -elect Robin Barker commented that she appreciated the option to have input into the method of selection,and appreciated the decision to allow the new Council to select. Councilman Cox asked i f local advertising would be possible to accept resumes by the 1st of July. Councilwoman Gardner suggested that local advertisement is limiting the potential of applicants,and that the selection made by a consultant firm was effective but costly. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4,1989 PAGE 2 Mayor Bluntschly stating that looking back at the City Managers that the City has had,the selection process was not all that effective. Mr.Eidson stated that he is not in favor of any advertising at this point,as other cities in the valley have gone through the process recently,and we could work with them to contact the applicants they solicited. Mayor Bluntschly commented that his attitude is to promote from within when possible,and i f not than look outside, and stated that at this time there are three people who have expressed an interest in the City Manager's position,one which is already an employee,one is a citizen just outside the City limits,and the other is from within Pinal County.Mayor Bluntschly stated that these three is where the process should begin,but first of all from within,than just outside city limits,than within Pinal County,and i f the position is not filled with those,Assistant to the City Manager George Hoffman's suggestion of going to the Arizona City Manager's Association as a resource with no cost should be considered. Councilman Connolly asked for clarification,should these three people be interviewed by the new Council first? Mayor Bluntschly clarified that those three could be looked at and interviewed after the new Council takes office. Councilman Vehon asked why this couldn't be started this evening,as far as requesting applications for review. City Attorney David Alexander stated that a method could be chosen tonight,and direction be given to staff to proceed with that method at the next regular meeting. Councilwoman Gardner commented that taking applications from another city's research may not meet our needs,so consequently,choosing a City Manager in this manner may not be best for Apache Junction. Councilman Cox MOVED THAT THE FILLING OF THE CITY MANAGER POSITION BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNCIL THAT WILL TAKE OFFICE ON JUNE 6,1989.I FURTHER MOVE THAT THIS ACTION BE POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER JUNE 6,1989. Vice Mayor Damiano seconded the motion. Councilman Vehon asked i f postponing means to postpone the actual appointment,or the discussion. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4,1989 PAGE 3 Mr.Alexander stated that i t would be postponing the actual appointment. VOTE:Unanimous The motion carried. Mayor Bluntschly recessed the meeting. Mayor Bluntschly reconvened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Vice Mayor Damiano MOVED THAT THE CITY MANAGER POSITION BE FILLED USING THE FOLLOWING METHOD: 1.BY UTILIZING IN-HOUSE RECRUITMENT 2.BY USING LOCAL RECRUITMENT (WITHIN STATE) 3.UTILIZING THE SERVICE OF THE ARIZONA CITY MANAGER ASSOCIATION FOR RECRUITMENT (WITHIN STATE) Councilman Cox seconded the motion. Councilman Vehon asked i f there would be strictly in-house first,and i f no one is chosen what is considered local for the next alternative? Mayor Bluntschly suggested both alternatives 2 and 3 be within the State. Councilman Connolly stated that what the Council is saying is that an in-house person has already been chosen,but i f the votes can't be obtained,than we'll go local. Mayor Bluntschly stated that i f that's the verbage Councilman Connolly wants to use,fine. Councilwoman Gardner stated that that doesn't sound right,to be going out for applications three times. Mayor Bluntschly explained that this advertisement can be done at the same time,except waiting for the ACMA until local and in-house is exhausted. Councilman Vehon stated that he thought this was to be done in stages,rather than all at once. Mayor Bluntschly stated that there is no sense in contacting ACMA,wasting their time i f a candidate is selected through first two stages. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4,1989 PAGE 4 Councilwoman Gardner suggested advertising in-house,locally,and through the ACMA all at once to get an overall picture prior to selecting. Councilman Connolly suggested interviewing the three known candidates rather than going through these three stages. Councilman Vehon stated that his is not aware of whom the three candidates are. Councilwoman Gardner asked how the Council -elect feels about the motion on the floor. Councilwoman -elect Sharyn Alger stated that in-house should be looked at first,and i f no one is qualified,than advertise locally,after which i f a selection is not made,than go to ACMA. Councilman -elect Jimmy Eidson stated that we have to have an experienced City Manager,and to accept applications for anyone who wants the job will not be sufficient,and in-house will be a waste of time without criteria of some kind. does need to be criteria. Mayor Bluntschly agreed that there Mr.Eidson again suggested using those resumes obtained by Casa Grande for filling their City Manager's position. Councilman Cox asked,based on Mr.Eidson's statement regarding experienced city managers,i f those four previously hired by the City of Apache Junction applied,would the Council hire them. Mr.Eidson replied that a couple of them would be seriously considered by himself. VOTE:In Favor:Councilman Cox,Vice Mayor Damiano,Mayor Bluntschly Opposed:Councilman Vehon,Councilman Connolly,Councilwoman Gardner The motion failed. Councilman Vehon commented that qualifications need to be outlined prior to this action. Councilman Connolly asked i f the City is required to advertise,or could they pick three people to interview i f they wish,and should names be mentioned. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4,1989 PAGE 5 City Attorney David Alexander replied that this is correct,but that those people should be asked prior to giving out names. Mayor Bluntschly suggested calling the candidates and asked them to submit resumes. Councilman Cox suggested each councilperson contact a person of their choice to submit resumes,which would result in seven candidates at the most. Councilman Connolly stated that he would not submit a name for contact. Councilwoman Gardner asked i f there is a job description,or i f changes are necessary. Mr.Eidson commented that i t appears that the Council wishes to look in-house first,and that he knows of no "experienced city manager"working for the City at this point,as far as working as a regular city manager,but i f that is the Council's wish,there needs to be criteria established first. Mayor Bluntschly stated that a college education doesn't necessarily qualify a person for the position of City Manager. Mr.Eidson pointed out that with the two-year job limit history for city managers,a present employee would be without a job possibly. Councilwoman Gardner suggested postponing this to allow further thought,and that other organizations always promote from within prior to going outside. Mayor Bluntschly stated that there are advantages and disadvantages. Councilman Cox commented that this gives surrounding communities a better impression i f you are able to hire from within,instead of always having to go outside. Vice Mayor DaMiano MOVED THAT THE CITY MANAGER POSITION BE FILLED USING THE FOLLOWING METHOD: 1.RECRUIT IN-HOUSE AND IF NOT SUCCESSFUL,RECRUIT STATE-WIDE USING ACMA PROCESS Councilman Cox seconded the motion. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4,1989 PAGE 6 Councilman Vehon asked i f minimum qualifications would be set this evening,or a date set to do so,and that possibly by the next meeting staff could come up with minimal qualifications for the Council to review,to eliminate an arbitrary or political decision. Mayor Bluntschly asked i f Vice Mayor Damiano would add that as an amendment to the motion. Councilman Vehon AMENDED THE MOTION THAT STAFF GIVE COUNCIL AND COUNCIL ELECT MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR CITY MANAGER POSITION TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FOR POSSIBLE ACTION. Councilman Cox seconded the amendment. Acting City Manager/City Clerk Kathleen Connelly asked what type of qualifications is the Council looking for. Councilman Vehon stated that whether in-house or local,i t is necessary to have a minimum of qualifications,or job description. Ms Connelly asked i f Council wished information for their decision on qualifications,or specific qualifications. Councilman Vehon asked that qualifications used in the past for the position. Councilwoman Gardner requested that those be given to the Council prior to the meeting. VOTE (On Amendment):In Favor:Councilman Cox,Councilwoman Gardner, Councilman Vehon,Vice Mayor Damiano, Mayor Bluntschly Opposed:Councilman Connolly The amendment carried. VOTE (On Motion As Amended): In Favor:Councilwoman Gardner,Councilman Cox,Councilman Vehon, Vice Mayor Damiano,Mayor Bluntschly Opposed:Councilman Connolly The motion carried as amended. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4,1989 PAGE 7 ADJOURNMENT )There being no further business to discuss,Mayor Bluntschly adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. ACCEPTED AND ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF MAY ,1989,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 18TH DAY OF ATTEST: MAY ENKTH BLUNTSCHL Mayor KATHLEEN CONNELLY " 2 1 ICityClerk SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY 4,1989 PAGE 8 ,1989.