HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-14CITY OF LAKEVILLE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
June 9, 2014
Mayor Little called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City
Hall.
Members Present: Council Members Anderson and Davis, and Mayor Little.
Council Member LaBeau joined via speaker -phone
Absent: Council Member Swecker
Staff Present: Cindi Joosten, Human Resources Manager, Judi Hawkins, Deputy Clerk
2. Citizen Comments
There were no citizen comments.
3. Discuss process for filling open City Administrator position
As a result of the resignation of Steve Mielke, Council met to discuss what steps should be
taken to fill the City Administrator position both permanently and in the interim period until
a successor can be named. It was Council's consensus to hire a search firm with experience in
conducting city administrator searches. The selected firm would assist with developing a
candidate profile, finding qualified candidates, and assisting the Council with the selection
process. Mayor Little stated that Council Member Swecker had also expressed support for
retaining a consultant. LaBeau supports having an outside search firm due to current staff
work load.
Cindi Joosten suggested inviting four potential firms to submit proposals to conduct a search
for suitable candidates. The potential consultants and search firms are:
• Greg Albrecht, M & A Executive Search (formerly with Sathe Associates - used for
current City Administrator search)
• Richard Fursman, Brimeyer Fursman Executive Search
• David Unmacht, Springsted and Associates (utilized for Lakeville Police Chief search)
• Gary Weiers, David Drown Associates, Inc.
Joosten will ask each firm to prepare and submit a proposal for Council's review on June 16 at
the Special meeting. Council requested staff include references from other cities that have
used each of the four firms. After review of the proposals Council could decide whether to
interview any of the firms' representatives. LaBeau stated that as a former city administrator
David Unmacht could provide additional perspective and value.
Special Council Meeting
June 9, 2014
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Mayor Little suggested that for the process of choosing an interim administrator, candidate
parameters could be discussed by the Council and directed to the Personnel Committee for
discussion and recommendation to the full Council. Council agreed that an internal
candidate would provide the most continuity with the least amount of disruption.
A timeline was discussed. Joosten stated that most processes take a minimum of 90 days and
up to six months. Steve Mielke's last day in the office will be July 101'. A candidate who is
offered the position would likely also need to submit a 30 -day resignation notice from their
current position.
Considerations for what needs to be accomplished during the interim period: continual
movement of current projects; consistency in day to day organizational management of
ongoing tasks; some delegation of certain items such as personnel, when needed; delegate
department directors to step in, attend relevant meetings, and prepare relevant information
for Council in order to move items forward. Council believes that generating a list of all
departments' ongoing projects and key priorities for the next several months would assist in
getting a better understanding of what would be required of the interim.
Council discussed whether the person chosen as the interim administrator would be eligible
to apply for the permanent position. It was suggested that the Personnel Committee discuss
this issue at their meeting later this week and bring a recommendation to the full council.
Council requested copies of the job description and the city administrator's contract.
The Personnel Committee will meet and review the list of accomplishments that will be
required of the interim; in the City Administrator's absence this week staff win be asked to
prepare a list of what will be needed to keep day to day operations going, and major projects
to be accomplished in the next four to six months, especially key projects which will require
involvement from the city administrator. The project list from department directors should
include the project name, a brief description, current status, and if/when any additional
decisions need to be made. This list will also be helpful in determining current and future
workloads.
LaBeau stated that some of the information which has recently been brought forward as part
of Mr. Mielke's evaluation could possibly be useful in providing insight for the interim and
the new administrator profile. An exit interview might also be helpful and will be scheduled
with the Personnel Committee.
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June 9, 2014
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At the June 16 meeting Council will discuss the Personnel Committee's recommendations for
criteria and expectations of potential interim candidates, and the process for putting the
interim in place. Proposals from suggested search consultants and references received by HR
will also be discussed, and a determination made on whether the firms will be interviewed.
Council would like to receive that information prior to the meeting. HR will contact the
Personnel Committee members to schedule a meeting.
Council Member Swecker will be provided with summary of this meeting.
3. Adjourn
Mayor Little adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
"4j a.w-L W�
Ju ' awkins, Deputy Clerk
Matt Little, Mayor