2012-06-18 CC Minutes Workshopi
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ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Monday, June 18, 2012
ADOPTED MINUTES
ALBERTVILLE CITY HALL
ROLL CALL
9:01 PM
Present: Mayor Mark Meehan and Council members Jillian Hendrickson, Larry Sorensen, John
Vetsch and Dan Wagner
Absent: None
Others Present: Finance Director Tina Lannes, City Attorney Michael Couri, City Planner
Alan Brixius, Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Nafstad, City Clerk Kim Olson,
Robert Thistle and Samara Postuma
DISCUSSION
Lannes stated the work session was called to continue discussion of the transition plan for a new
City Administrator.
The Council discussed hiring based on personality versus resume only. Couri stated the Council
could hire a firm to determine the characteristics and goals sought by each Councilmember and
have a moderator determine the results. Staff stated that it is not only necessary to determine the
job description for the new City Administrator but what type of characteristics are they looking
for in someone to lead the City. Couri stated it may be worth the dollars to have a consultant
focus on the expectations from the Council for the new person. Brixius stated that it is important
to identify the traits desired and the role the City Administrator is to play for the City.
Thistle stated times have changed, especially in regards to the economy, and Council may not be
looking for the same traits and qualities as they were ten years ago. He stated Council will need
to identify where the City will be going and who can best take them there.
The Council discussed hiring someone looking for the next step in their career or someone that
has experience and would be making a lateral move. They discussed the benefits of each.
Thistle stated that if Council cannot come to some type of consensus of what they are looking for
in a City Administrator, the new person will be set up to fail in the position. Couri responded
that a consultant would help synthesize the wants and expectations of the Council. He stated that
everyone has an equal point of view and they have to review each through the consulting
process.
MAPublic Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2012 Minutes\City Council\M 06 18 2012 workshop.doc
City of Albertville
City Council Workshop Minutes
June 18, 2012
Page 2 of 2
Brixius stated it is important for Council to go through a process to explain to their constituents
the basis of their decision.
Couri inquired if there was a consensus from the Council to move forward with a focused
consultation. Thistle stated this is the first step in moving forward. The Council directed staff to
bring forward a proposal from each consultant firm at the next meeting.
Council asked how the consultation will work, if they will consult individually with the firm or
as a group. Couri explained that it will be up to the firm to lead Council through the process and
those measures would be outlined in the proposals.
Nafstad asked about the timing of the transition because staff is receiving calls and in person
inquiries about whether the transition will be before or after elections this year. Couri stated that
at this time they do not know how long the process will take.
Couri said the discussion of who should be hired should be suspended as they work on the
process of defining the goals and expectations for the new City Administrator. He added that the
Council must come into the process in good faith to allow the process to work.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly A. lson, City Clerk
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