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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSM052802CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Study Session May 28, 2002 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Walton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ATTENDEES Mayor: Bill Walton Council Members: Dave Gilmour, Dick Halley, Kay Harrison, Donna Higginbotham, Dennis Richardson, and Bill Stults were present. Interim City Administrator Brian Almquist; Public Works Director Bob Pierce; Building Official Lois DeBenedetti; Planning DirectorTom Humphrey; Finance Director Bill Brugger; Parks & Recreation Coordinator Nancy Hanson; Police Chief Sweeney, and Mr. Dick Townsend from League of Oregon Cities, were also present. III. BUSINESS A. Developing Draft City Administrator Profile The meeting began with Dick Townsend stating that within the last week he has received 11-12 resumes, (about4 - 5 from Oregon) and he feels optimistic with the responses. The advertisements are out, and there is also an ad in the Central Point Sun. The Study Session, was a discussion to develop a profile. Mr. Townsend would like to adhere to the following schedule: June 14th -15`h - Deadline for receiving resumes. June 20`h - 6:00 pm -Meet with City to review resumes, and to discuss items such as the whole interview process, moving expenses, including spouse, and a pay scale. Approximately one day prior to June 20'h , Mr. Townsend will either be faxing, or sending overnight, copies his A and B stack of pre-screened candidates for Department Heads, and Council Members to review. In addition, Mr. Townsend will send a draft of the Administrator Profile for review and recommendations. After the June 20'h meeting with the City, it will be necessary for Mr. Townsend to go back with information, and an idea of whom the City would like to interview, and have background checks completed on those final choices. The three major items Mr. Townsend wanted everyone to consider were as follows: •What is the City looking for •Background the City is looking for •What the City is looking for internally Mr. Townsend asked "Where do we want the City of Central Point to go in the next 5 years, and are there certain characteristics, skills, etc., that will frll fhe City's needs?" Council Members stated what they would like to see in the City's future Administrator. David Gilmour would like to see someone who has land use knowledge due to the anticipated growth, and someone who has the personality to get out and interact. •° City of Central Point Study Session Minutes May '28, 2002 Page 2 Donna Higginbotham would like someone very innovative and to help lead each Department Head in accomplishing their goals for the future, with business budget experience to help guide Department Heads. Mrs. Higginbotham also added that she likes to see the Administrator taking notes, with reports going out to Council members prior to the meeting. Kay Harrison would like to see someone who is adaptive, and can keep up with the latest best technology and information useful to the City. Someone who is always seeking additional professional development and education. She would also like to see someone who can work more with the school district. Dennis Richardson would like to see someone with a high self image, and the ability to lead, without so much concern for keeping the peace. In other words, someone with a sense of fairness and doing the right thing, rather than trying to keep everyone happy. He would also like to see an Administrator with a good sense of business for negotiating contracts, etc., for the City. Bill Stults really wants to see the Downtown Revitalization project take off with a good knowledge of where to go for funding, etc. Kay Harrison agreed with Bill Stults. Mayor Walton had added that Tom Humphrey and Jim Bennett had the Downtown Revtalization on the front burner, with the hope that new blood would only enhance this. He would also like to see a candidate for the City Administrator with experience in Transportation -Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Next, the Department Heads had an opportunity to discuss what qualities and skills they would like to see in the next Administrator. The following is a summarization of what all the Department Heads are looking for. Good working knowledge of municipal budgets, constraints and an awareness of limitations. Knowledge of Labor Laws, relations, and union negotiating. Specialized area of expertise and experience is of more value than a degree. Good communication skills on all levels. Good listening skills. Must know the difference between directing and dictating. Should nat be a micro manager and trust Department Neads to do their jobs. Should recognize and understand the working relationships within each department. Should understand the repercussions of contradicting decisions, with the ability to stand behind their decisions and their staff members decisions. Honesty, integrity, and not being indecisive (flip flopping back and forth). look for what the City of Central Point's weaknesses are and look for those strengths in our City Administrator. The ability to identify and prioritize immediate needs and needs for the future. Someone who can act as a link between the City of Centra( Point, the City's businesses, and citizens with the ability to encourage and bring out the best in all. Someone who can form partnerships with other area cities. The Department Heads would also like to see someone who is respected, and approachable, with strong abilities to bring departments together, making the City stronger as a whole. The talent to create an active community, encouraging more community involvement. Others, would like to see the future Administrator work at an Administrators level of responsibilities, not that of a manager. Someone who is able to keep Council informed at all times, treating each Council member the same. Politically sensitive yet ab{e to remain apolitical. Courage of conviction, thick skinned, operates with an open style, and a good sense of humor. Some of the recommendations made for interviewing, were that while some are asking questions, the others should be picking up on body language. Look at how the Administrator will "fit° into this community, and that it is probably a good idea that the Administrator reside within Central Paint, to exhibit support and concem for this community and to develop a personal identity with the City Another screening recommendation was made for Central Point Department }leads to contact Department Heads of the Cities the candidates have worked before, and feel them out. Dick Townsend was very pleased with the amount of input, and advised that he will need City of Central Point S[udy Session Minutes May 28, 2002 Page 3 at least a couple of hours with Council members on June 20'". He will then need to have each candidate rated and take it to the chalk board. Dick will put together a matrix to help grade the candidates. Then the discussion of costs, spouse, etc., will take place. B. Discussion of Jackson County Fairgrounds Amphitheater After a lot of back and forth discussions, the following items were evident There are a lot of concerns that have been addressed, and many that still have not been acknowledged by Jackson County. More research is still needed. Traffic concerns are one of the items that hasn't been resolved. There needs to be pathways to amphitheater, if possible. Noise levels, are still a primary concern. There needs to be a ceiling to the noise levels, with strict sanctions and fines for exceeding the noise level. Doug Engle will be contacted regarding the legalities of enforcing and punishment for violations. Chief Sweeney stated that a wireless system monitor can be installed at the City limits, which can transmit readings back to City Hall. Then go to the source of the violation. Chief Sweeneyy, will be taking a closer look at Salem to see how they enforce noise laws with their amphitheater. He will also be researching who is empowered to enforce DEQ's State laws. Chief Sweeney will be reporting his findings to Brian Almquist. More specific information is still needed. Council members were in agreement that what ever methods with fines work for the Britt Festival, in Jacksonville, Oregon, will also work for the City of Central Point. If all goes well, ground breaking for the Jackson County Fairgrounds Amphitheater, could begin as early as this fall. IV. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session for May 28, 2002 was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.