06/12/2001
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CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 12, 2001
Present: Brian J. Aungst
Ed Hart
Whitney Gray
Hoyt P. Hamilton
William C. Jonson
Mayor/Commissioner
Vice-M ayor /Comm issioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Also present: Garry Brumback
Pamela K. Akin
Paul O'Rourke
Cynthia E. Goudeau
Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
Human Resources Administrator
City Clerk
Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. at City Hall. The Special
Meeting was scheduled to review City Manager candidates and select finalists.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Request for travel to U.S. Conference of Mayors in Detroit
Mayor Aungst requested the Commission approve his attendance at the US.
Conference of Mayors.
Commissioner Hamilton moved to approve the Mayor's request to attend the U.S.
Conference of Mayors in Detroit. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Request to reschedule 7/10/01 City ManaQer Selection MeetinQ
Commissioner Hart requested, due to his plans to be out of town on July 10, 2001,
the Commission meeting related to City Manager selection be rescheduled. Discussion
ensued.
Consensus was to reschedule the City Manager Selection meeting from July 10,
2001 to either July 5 or July 6, 2001. A firm date will be announced.
(Note: the meeting was returned to July 10, 2001)
ITEM #4 - Review of City ManaQer Candidates to Select Finalists
Lou Fox, Executive Director of DMG Maximus Corporation, said his firm had
screened 70 applications it had received for Clearwater's City Manager position and
developed a list of the top 15 candidates. The firm then requested supplemental responses
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from these candidates related to personnel issues, capital project experience, etc. The
resumes and responses from these candidates were presented to the City Commission. He
recommended the City Commission identify five or six finalists for the final selection of the
City Manager.
In response to a question, Mr. Fox reviewed his firm's efforts to attract candidates.
It was felt personal interviews are more beneficial than resume review. It was
recommended the City Commission also compile a second tier of candidates should finalists
drop out of contention. Mr. Fox reviewed the background of the top 15 candidate. He
thanked staff for researching salaries offered in other Florida communities. The survey
indicated the City's salary level for the City Manager position is approximately $30,000
lower than the current market.
The City Commission reviewed their choices for City Manager candidates: 1) Mayor
Aungst - Sterling B. Cheatham, Jerry M. Givens, William B. Horne II, Bonnie R. Kraft,
Michael Alan McNees, Ronald I. Payne, and Michael K. West; 2) Commissioner Hart -
Sterling B. Cheatham, William B. Horne II, Bonnie R. Kraft, Michael Alan McNees, Robert S.
Noe, Jr., and Ronald I. Payne; 3) Commissioner Gray - Barry A. Burton, Sterling B.
Cheatham, William B. Horne II, Bonnie R. Kraft, Michael Alan McNees, and Michael K.
West; 4) Commissioner Hamilton - Sterling B. Cheatham, Jerry M. Givens, William B. Horne
II, Bonnie R. Kraft, Michael Alan McNees, and Michael K. West,; and 5) Commissioner
Jonson - Barry A. Burton, Sterling B. Cheatham, William B. Horne II, Bonnie R. Kraft,
Michael Alan McNees, and Robert M. Murphy.
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The City Commission agreed to invite five candidates for interviews: Sterling B.
Cheatham, William B. Horne II, Bonnie R. Kraft, Michael Alan McNees, and Michael K.
West.
The City Commission ranked second tier candidates: 1) Barry A. Burton; 2) Jerry M.
Givens; and 3) Ronald I. Payne.
Mr. Fox stated he will develop a list of questions for City Commissioners to ask. He
will send them with his final report prior to the interviews. He recommended the
Commissioners ask each candidate the same questions. Commissioners can forward
proposed questions to him. The City Attorney reviewed prohibited questions related to
age, religion, marital status, etc.
City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau suggested the City Commission tape the interviews for
later broadcast so that candidates scheduled last not have the benefit of watching pervious
interviews. Mr. Fox recommended the City bring the candidates to town the day before
the interviews to provide them with an opportunity to see the community and meet with
key department directors. In response to a suggestion, Human Resources Administrator
Paul O'Rourke said staff also can arrange an informal reception the evening before the
interviews.
Interviews will be 45 minutes long, with 15 minutes relief time provided between
each candidate. Mr. Fox recommended the interviews be done as a roundtable discussion.
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He recommended the City Commission affirm their interest in negotiating a higher salary
for the position. He also recommended the City Commission make their final decision
immediately after the interviews.
Mr. O'Rourke reviewed the details of a City Manager salary and benefit survey
which indicates Clearwater's salary for City Manager is approximately $30,000 below
market. Mr. O'Rourke reported a similar analysis of the City Attorney's salary indicates a
shortfall for this position, as well. A presentation on this issue will be scheduled.
It was recommended the City Commission hire Mr. Horne as the City Manager. It
was felt the City Commission should honor its commitment to undertake the search
process. It was suggested the next time an interim City Manager is needed, that the City
hire an ICMA "range rider" instead of a position candidate.
The majority agreed to continue the search process.
Mr. O'Rourke recommended the City hire Mr. Fox to negotiate a contract with the
chosen candidate, instead of requiring the City Attorney to handle these discussions. He
said enough money remains in the budget to cover the $2,500 cost of this service. The
City Attorney supported the request and indicated she will prepare the final contract.
Special FOOT Meeting
Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback reported on June 15, 2001, FOOT, (Florida
Department of Transportation) has scheduled a meeting at their Tampa office regarding
roadway plans for the Drew Street/NE Coachman intersection. Concerned business owners
and staff plan to attend the meeting, which is open to the public.
ITEM #5 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m.
ATTEST: ~C:'~"
City Clerk
~J~
Mayor/p'mmi sionet
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