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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 06-20 CCM Special Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION JUNE 20, 1995 CONFERENCE ROOM A, CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special session and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Barb Kalligher, Kristen Mann, Debra Hilstrom, and Kathleen Carmody. Also present were Director of Community Development Brad Hoffman and Council Secretary Carla Wirth. INTERVIEW PROCEDURE City Council reviewed the ten interview questions as drafted by staff based on its input and the suggested interview process. Consensus was reached to follow the seven -step interview process as suggested by the Acting City Manager in her June 20, 1995, memorandum. Councilmember Hilstrom noted the July 5 City Council work session which has been scheduled to discuss the role of the City and future plans. She indicated she would like to ask the candidates about their comfort level should the Council determine cuts, etc. need to be made. Mayor Kragness suggested each candidate be asked whether they would be available to attend the July 5 work session if selected. Mayor Kragness requested each candidate be asked to review and sign the Release of Information form and Release to Contact Employers form. INTERVIEW FOR INTERIM CITY MANAGER POSITION - SYLVESTER KNAPP Sy Knapp provided the Council with the signed Release of Information forms. Ouestion 1: Briefly describe to us your background education and experience as it relates to municipal government. Mr. Knapp stated he received a B.S. in Civil Engineering Degree in 1955 and a M.S. in Engineering Degree in 1956 from the University of Minnesota. In 1956, he served as the Assistant City Engineer for St. Cloud until 1964 when he was appointed as the St. Cloud City 6/20/95 - 1 - Engineer and Director of Public Works. He served in that capacity until July of 1979 when he was appointed to serve as the Interim City Administrator. After six months in that capacity, the Mayor of St. Cloud asked Mr. Knapp to accept the position of City Administrator, but he declined and again served as Director of Public Works until 1979 when he accepted a position with Brooklyn Center. Mr. Knapp stated he served as the Brooklyn Center Director of Public Works until he retired under the Early Retirement Plan in January of 1994. During the last one and one -half years he spent 14 months working on a one -half time basis with Howard Needles Tammen and Bergendoff (HNTB), a consulting engineering firm, as Chief Municipal Engineer responsible for marketing engineering services. Mr. Knapp explained HNTB had contracts with County and State engineering but was not set up to go into municipal engineering. Because of that, Mr. Knapp told the company they did not really need his services and he left the company. Since that time, he has been searching for other job opportunities and during the last month began the process for starting his own public works management consulting business. Mr. Knapp stated currently he has no clients and if he accepted this assignment, he would put his business plans on "hold". Question 2• Describe to us how you would assist the Council in managing operations if selected I C as an Interim City Manager for Brooklyn Center. Mr. Knapp stated his first priority would be to become knowledgeable about current programs and projects that the City is involved with. One of the immediate priorities would be the 1996 budget process and to meet those time lines. He stated he would intend to meet with each department head and ask that they identify priorities and issues. Mr. Knapp stated he would also request to meet with each Councilmember individually and request that they identify what they see as priorities and where the City is going. Mr. Knapp stated he believes one area in need of a great deal of attention is Community Development and to assure those projects keep moving forward, including the negotiations with Brookdale Center. Another YP roJ riorit project would be the Brooklyn Boulevard project since a P lot of dollars are involved as well as federal grants with time lines. Mr. Knapp noted that he was heavily involved in this project while employed with Brooklyn Center, but he would need to be updated. I Mr. Knapp stated he does not know what personnel issues there may be but this issue could be discussed with each department head to determine if there are any issues that need to be dealt with on an immediate basis. Mr. Knapp stated he has worked in public employment for 38 years and found whenever there is a lull in leadership, that may be the time personnel issues arise. Because of this trend, be believed it helps if staff gets the message that there is strong leadership. Mr. Knapp stated he is aware the Council just recently went through goal setting and he expects to be part of supporting those established goals. He indicated his main focus will be to keep activities progressing. 6/20/95 -2- Question 3: What would you envision your schedule or availability to be if you were appointed Interim City Manager. Mr. Knapp stated he would regard this as a full -time position. He explained the reason his proposal contains some conditions is because of his inclination to become a workaholic and his promise to his wife that he would not accept a position that resulted in spending 65 -70 hours per week on the job. Mr. Knapp stated his intention to make this a full -time commitment and expectation that the first four days of the week would probably be 10 -hour days so he may want to take off some part-time Fridays unless there is a priority that needs to be addressed. Question 4: Briefly discuss how you would work with Council and /or staff in resolving problems. What are your expectations from Council. Mr. Knapp noted he knows each department head and has worked with them while employed by Brooklyn Center but he would need the opportunity to be updated on current issues and identify priorities. He stated he expects to utilize department heads to identify what issues are and to make recommendations on solutions, and would base his decision on that information plus input from others on staff. Mr. Knapp indicated he would rely heavily on the Acting City Manager for personnel issues and the City Attorney as a "sounding board". He explained how he has found the use of additional expertise, such as a psychologist or the City Employee Assistance Program to be most helpful in assisting employees with special problems. He advised his use of those resources over a number of years has resulted in being able to restore a number of employees who were good employees but due to personal problems were "going down the i tubes". With regard to expectations from the Council, Mr. Knapp stated he would hope each Councilmember would be willing to meet with him, if appointed, and provide commentaries on what is happening in Brooklyn Center and what they believe are the priorities. He stated his belief in the importance of communications and philosophy that 95 % of all serious problems are a result of incomplete communication. Mr. Knapp pointed out that regardless of the amount of communications, there may be issues everyone does not agree on but communication allows each party to better understand other's point of view and where they are coming from. He pointed out since this is a City Manager form of government, he expects to operate under that form with most of the important communications from Council to staff going through the City Manager's office. He noted there are areas that can be covered by direct communication but the City Manager cannot do the job unless he /she knows what is happening so it is important that communication be funneled through the City Manager's office. Question 5: What do you see your role is in facilitating the Council and assisting them in selection and recruitment of a new City Manager if they determine to not use a consultant or search firm. Mr. Knapp stated he would recommend the Council hire a search firm for the principle reason that the Interim City Manager will be very busy with other issues and the search for the permanent City Manager will demand a great deal of time. He also believes an independent 6/20/95 -3 - search firm can be more independent and work with the Council to determine what it feels is important in hiring. Mr. Knapp stated if the Council decides not to use a professional search firm, he would work with the Council in the process but would expect that some outside experts or a panel of experts would be involved to provide the benefit of independent opinions. Mr. Knapp stated either way, he would be happy to work with the Council in reviewing proposals for search firms but if the Council decides not to use one he does not see it to be a totally in -house procedure but would involve some outside assistance. Question 6: What do you see your role is in facilitating the Council and assisting, them in selection and recruitment of a new City Manager if they determine to use a consultant or search firm. Mayor Kragness noted Mr. Knapp has already answered this question so the Council moved on to Question 7. Question 7: What do you consider to be your outstanding strong points and /or weak points. and how will this effect your performance? Mr. Knapp stated his strongest point is 39 years of experience in City government, working with different forms of government, and involvement with a lot of projects. Mr. Knapp stated another strong point is his strong commitment to his employer and he does not believe any employer would say he gave anything less than 100% to the job. Mr. Knapp stated his weak point may be his workaholic tendency and ability to be somewhat stubborn on occasion. He advised he tends to focus on issues and is tenacious about trying to come up with solutions. Question 8: Would you feel comfortable with following policies 12reviously established by the Council? (i.e., Personnel Policvj Mr. Knapp stated he has no problem in following those policies and is not aware of any policies Council has adopted that he has issue with. Ouestion 9: What exceptional skills do you believe you will bring to the position? Mr. Knapp stated he is someone who always seeks consensus. He stated he has worked with many committees and task forces as a member or chair and is able to focus on keeping the committee on track and focused on what its real task is and bringing it to a point of conclusion. He concluded one of his strong skills is working with people and groups. Question 10: Is there anything else you would like to share with us that would affect our decision? Mr. Knapp stated he is a good friend of former City Manager Jerry Splinter and would not want to be involved in any discussion or decision as to what happened. He stated it would be out of place for him to become involved or make judgement on anything that happened on that issue. 6/20/95 -4- Mr. Knapp stated he would also like to advise he does not hide his opinions and his agenda is always on the table so the Council will always know where he is coming from. Council's Input Regarding Its Expectations of an Interim City Manager. Mayor Kragness stated the Council all wants to be comfortable in working with the Interim City Manager and the Interim City Manager with the Council. She stated she wants no surprises from the Council or the Interim City Manager. Mayor Kragness stated the Council does not need to know everything that is happening but certain things that are important should be told to the Council. Also, when the Council comes to the Interim City Manager for information it should receive as much information as there is to give. Mayor Kragness concluded she wants openness and honesty between the Interim City Manager and Council. Mr. Knapp stated he sensed this and included in his cover letter the need to make that commitment to work together. From staff's standpoint, he expects to furnish as much information in advance as possible but requested Council's advance request if they need more information. If staff is unable to provide enough information, he indicated he would suggest the matter be tabled until everyone is comfortable with the information available. Mr. Knapp asked, to the extent possible, that Council control Open Forum issues to standard procedure where issues are presented, referred to staff for research, and discussed in detail at the following meeting. Mr. Knapp noted that in the past there has been occasion where the Council decided to discuss, at length, an Open Forum issue without the benefit of staff research and recommendation. He agreed there may be times when it is not possible to follow procedure and an item needs to be discussed. Mr. Knapp concurred with the philosophy of "No Surprises Please". Councilmember Carmody stated the specific things she expects from an Interim City Manager is to keep up on the budget process, the hiring process with the permanent City Manager, and to stabilize government. Mr. Knapp stated his number one priority would be to keep the wheels moving as smoothly as possible. Councilmember Mann concurred with points stated by Mayor Kragness and Councilmember Carmody and stated she envisions the Interim City Manager assisting the Council in hiring negotiators to deal with the newly formed bargaining unit for department heads. She explained the Council has scheduled a work session on July 5 to better define the role of the City and asked Mr. Knapp if he would be available. Mr. Knapp stated he will be available. I Councilmember Hilstrom stated her agreement with previous comments, and she hopes the Interim City Manager will keep things moving forward. She stated she does not want the City to remain stagnant during the term of the Interim City Manager. 6/20/95 -5 - I Councilmember Kalligher concurred with the need to move on and not focus on what happened in the past. She asked if Mr. Knapp is able to promote Discover the Center. Mr. Knapp stated he is available and interested in promoting Discover the Center. He asked the Council if it had questions on the proposed compensation agreement. Councilmember Hilstrom requested that discussion on the agreement be delayed until both candidates are interviewed and explained that the City Attorney will be involved with negotiating the terms of the agreement. Mayor Kragness explained the Council will make a decision tonight and she will contact each candidate regarding that decision. She did not see anything in Mr. Knapp's proposed agreement that is out of the ordinary. Mr. Knapp advised the terms of the agreement are somewhat negotiable and he is willing to accept the suggestions made by the City Attorney. Mr. Knapp thanked the Council for the opportunity to be considered for this position. At this point, Mr. Knapp left the Conference Room and Councilmembers completed the Oral Interview Rating Form. INTERVIEW FOR INTERIM CITY MANAGER POSITION - CAMILE ANDRE Cam Andre provided the Council with the signed Release of Information forms. The Mayor and Councilmembers each introduced themselves to Mr. Andre. Question 1: Briefly describe to us your background. education, and experience as it relates to municipal government. Mr. Andre stated he has a varied background both as a consultant and administrator. He stated he was the City Manager of Oak Lawn, Illinois, for seven years and St. Louis Park for eight years. He served as Deputy City Manager of Kansas City, Missouri, for two years, Director of Environmental Control for the City of Minneapolis for one year, and Interim Director of the League of Minnesota Cities for one year. Mr. Andre stated he then served as the Chief Administrator of the Metropolitan Transit Commission for ten years. He added when he was first out of the military he acted as a consultant. Question 2: Describe to us how you would assist the Council in managing operations if selected as an Interim City Manager for Brooklyn Center. Mr. Andre stated he will report to the Council in regular fashion about activities and issues and recommend, whenever possible, solutions to those issues that have come up. He stated he will also keep the Council informed continually as to successes and also difficulties encountered in municipal work. Question 3: What would you envision your schedule or availability to be if You were appointed Interim City Manager. 6/20/95 -6- Mr. Andre indicated he is available immediately but has scheduled a vacation to Honduras in December. Question 4: Briefly discuss how you would work with Council and /or staff in resolving problems. What are your expectations from Council. Mr. Andre stated it takes a period of time to develop staff and he does not think an Interim City Manager will have a great opportunity to do that in the limited period of time he will be on board. He stated he suspects Brooklyn Center has good staff that is reliable and if there is some apprehension, the best the Interim City Manager could do is to give them some comfort that everything is alright and to stabilize operations. Mr. Andre stated with the Council it would take time to become acquainted and get a better picture about what it really wants. Question 5: What do you see your role is in facilitating the Council and assisting them in selection and recruitment of a new City Manager if they determine to not use a consultant or search firm. Mr. Andre stated he would be perfectly willing to assist the Council and has some ideas on a process to be used, but whether or not to use a search firm is the Council's decision. Mr. Andre stated if he were to participate he would not go about it as elaborately as an executive search firm and would suggest the following steps: 1. Develop an idea as to what the Council wants in way of a permanent City Manager and draft a list of those parameters before interviewing activity. 2. Advertise, presumably nationally. 3. Process initial inquiries and applications with the Council developing guidelines on how to cut down the number into something that is workable. 4. Make a list of the top ten to twelve candidates and have Council review those, in light of the specifics they set forth in step #1, and reduce the number down to three to five for personal interview. 5. Conduct personal interviews and check more broadly into their experience and background, and the applicant's expectations. Question 6: What do you see your role is in facilitating the Council and assisting them in selection and recruitment of a new City Manager if they determine to use a consultant or search firm. Mr. Andre stated he would be happy to serve as a liaison between the Council, search consultant and candidates. He explained the candidate usually interviews the City at the same time and someone needs to introduce them to department heads and give them an indication about issues in Brooklyn Center. Question 7: What do you consider to be your outstanding strong points and /or weak points and how will this effect vour performance? Mr. Andre stated he gets along with people very well and his management style is flexible but principled. 6/20/95 -7- Mr. Andre stated his weak point would be he does not come on as strong on some issues that maybe he should. Question 8: Would you feel comfortable with following policies previous established by the Council? (i.e. Personnel Policy, Mr. Andre stated Council establishes policy and the City Manager carries it out, and if the City Manager does not carry out those policies as Council directs, then the City Manager has the choice to resign. Mr. Andre stated you have to realize that the Council establishes policy in all areas and then the City Manager carries it out. Question 9: What exceptional skills do you believe you will bring to the position? Mr. Andre stated his exceptional skill would be his varied experiences in many, many municipalities, both as administrator and as a consultant, combined with a strong talent for getting along with people and relating with people. Question 10: Is there anything else you would like to share with us that would affect our decision') Mr. Andre stated he had nothing more to add but would like to ask the Council what they are looking for from the Interim City Manager. He asked if they wanted someone to carry over until the permanent City Manager is hired. If so, he stated he would suggest the possibility of appointing Acting City Manager Nancy Gohman as Interim City Manager. Council's Input Regarding Its Expectations of an Interim Cif Manager. Mayor Kragness stated the Council is looking for a relationship with an Interim City Manager where there are no secrets. She stated when the Council asks for information, they want as much as is available on that subject and not to be by- passed in the process. She stated she wants an honest relationship. Councilmember Carmody stated basically she would like to see an Interim City Manager who keeps business and staff on track and gets things done. She stated issues like the budget and hiring the Permanent City Manager need to move forward, goals that were set need to be started, and things kept on an even keel. Councilmember Kalligher stated the Interim City Manager needs to help with negotiations for the new bargaining unit of department heads. Mr. Andre stated he has worked with this in the past. Councilmember Kalligher explained that 17 department heads, supervisors, and confidential employees are in the process of unionizing. Councilmember Hilstrom advised the Council has scheduled a work session for July 5 to define the role of the City and where the Council wants to take Brooklyn Center in the future. She noted this may involve difficult decisions and she wants an Interim City Manager to keep the Council moving rather than keeping on hold while looking for the permanent City Manager. 6/20/95 - 8 - Councilmember Kalligher agreed and added the City is also involved with Brookdale, and the Interim City Manager needs the ability to work with the Director of Community Development on current issues. Mr. Andre cautioned the Council about the Interim City Manager's ability to provide all the things the Council is wishing for. He explained this involves a team effort and the Interim City Manager will have to rely on the department heads in working together. He also noted the Interim City Manager does not have a lot of strength in being aggressive to get things done because everyone knows he will not be around for long. Mr. Andre stated he believed it was a wise decision to sit down and try to have some plans for the City, but not to think you will find it particularly easy to accomplish those things during the next five to six months. He suggested this is one aspect the Council may want to include when developing specifications for the permanent City Manager and to perhaps give that aspect some weight to assure the person will be interested in that particular issue. Councilmember Hilstrom asked Mr. Andre if he is available to attend the July 5 Work Session. Mr. Andre indicated he is available. Councilmember Hilstrom clarified she does not want to "fix it all" within six months but also does not want to stand still but to continue to move forward. Mr. Andre commented it is good to know the Council has interest in moving forward. Mayor Kragness advised the Council will be making the decision tonight and she will call each candidate about that decision. She added the City Attorney will be involved in negotiating the contract. Mr. Andre stated his preference for a simple contract and wished the Council good luck in every respect. At this point, Mr. Andre left the Conference Room and Councilmembers completed the Oral Interview Rating Form. COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF CANDIDATES Councilmember Mann stated she rated both candidates high but gave Mr. Andre more credit for job experience. She stated she sees pros and cons with either one and would be comfortable with either one, but personally is leaning towards Mr. Andre because of his experience in City Administration. Councilmember Kalligher stated she also rated both high but supports hiring Mr. Andre because she prefers his style of presentation. Mayor Kragness stated she believed Mr. Knapp provided more detailed information which was very concise and to the point. 6/20/95 -9- Councilmember Carmody stated considering where the Council is in its working relationship with each other, she believes it would be easier to work with Mr. Andre and that he would be better at keeping the Council on track than Mr. Knapp would be. She advised she rated both candidates almost the same. Mayor Kragness stated her preference for Mr. Knapp since he already knows staff and the workings of the City and it would be easier for him to work with staff. She also believed staff would not feel intimidated in working with Mr. Knapp. Mayor Kragness stated the Council needs to be sure staff is very comfortable and secure in working with the Interim City Manager. She pointed out Mr. Andre would need to learn what is going on in each department so it could take some time before he feels comfortable in making decisions. Councilmember Carmody believed Mr. Andre had enough experience from his working with other cities. Councilmember Hilstrom asked the Director of Community Development if be believed staff would feel uneasy with either candidate. The Director of Community Development responded that he, personally, would not have a problem with either candidate and did not think the department heads would either. He pointed out any Interim City Manager will be very dependent on department heads to keep him advised. The Director of Community Development believed the difference between the two candidates gets down to Mr. Knapp being more familiar and perhaps able to move projects faster than Mr. Andre but Mr. Andre has very extensive experience in City Management and has probably seen it all. Councilmember Kalligher noted that Mr. Knapp has worked with the City so is able to provide more detailed answers and be more specific. Councilmember Hilstrom stated she wished she would have asked Mr. Knapp if he feels he is able to be objective since he has not been gone very long. She stated she thinks Mr. Knapp could be objective but she wants to make sure Mr. Knapp thinks he can be. Mayor Kragness questioned Mr. Andre's ability to come in and assist with development of the City when he is not as familiar. The Director of Community Development pointed out Mr. Andre has worked in municipal Q explained he needs n h h government and been involved in similar projects. As a department t ead e a P J P a "sounding board and believed either candidate would provide the stability desired b th e P Y Y Council. Councilmembers Carmody, Hilstrom, Kalligher, and Mann all indicated a preference for hiring Mr. Andre contingent upon negotiation of a contract that is mutually agreeable to both parties 6/20/9 - 10- (candidate and City). Mayor Kragness consented this is a majority and she would so advise the candidates of Council's decision to offer the position to Mr. Andre. Councilmember Hilstrom asked if it would be appropriate to invite Mr. Andre to City Hall to be introduced to department heads, etc. The Director of Community Development noted that Mr. Andre may want this opportunity to get acquainted with department heads and staff. The Mayor and Councilmembers submitted their signed rating sheet and notes for City files. Consensus was reached to direct Mayor Kragness to offer the position of Interim City Manager to Mr. Andre (pending satisfactory agreement), inform Mr. Knapp of this decision, to direct the City Attorney to negotiate a mutually satisfactory contract with Mr. Andre, to direct staff to invite Mr. Andre to meet department heads, and to place this matter on the next Council agenda for action. ADJOURNMENT The Brooklyn Center City Council was adjourned by Mayor Kragness at 6:58 p.m. A a,w cy� A Deputy City Clerk Mayor Recorded and transcribed by: Carla Wirth Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 6/20/95