Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-12-08 spec . 445 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION BOZEMAN, MONT ANA DECEMBER 8, 1983 ***************************** The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in special session in the Commission Room, I Municipal Building, December 8, 1983, at 4:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Stiff, Commissioner Weaver, Commissioner Vant Hull, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Mathre, City Attorney Crumbaker-Smith and Clerk of the Commission Sullivan. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Commissioner Weaver. Signing of the Notice of the Special Meeting The Mayor requested that each of the Commissioners sign the Notice of Special Commis- sion Meeting. Each Commissioner in turn signed the Notice. It was moved by Commissioner Weaver, seconded by Commissioner Vant Hull, that the Commission waive the Commissioners' salaries for this meeting as established in Ordinance No. 1137. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Weaver, Commissioner Vant Hull, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Mathre and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. Discussion - City Manager selection process Mayor Stiff announced that Mr. Doug Lowe has withdrawn his appl ication due to his acceptance of the position of City Manager in Yuma, Arizona. Mayor Stiff then stated he has talked to the City Attorney about the possibility of closing the Commission meeting in an executive session to discuss the candidates for City Manager that have been interviewed. He noted the City Attorney is now ready to address that matter. I City Attorney Crumbaker-Smith noted her preliminary indication was that the meeting probably could not be closed under the open meeting law. She then reviewed the Montana Code Annotated and the Constitution of the State of Montana as they pertain to the open meeting law, which indicate that the right of privacy must be determined to clearly exceed the merits of public disclosure to close the meeting. She noted that if the meeting were closed and the issue were challenged and lost, any decisions made during that meeting would be void. She then recommended that the Commission carefully consider any possible closure of the Commission meeting. Mayor Stiff noted the Commissioners must be candid and honest when evaluating the relative merits of the various candidates. He noted some of the items discussed could be quite personal and sensitive in nature. Commissioner Anderson questioned whether the remaining three candidates have indicated that keeping the process open will jeopardize their situations. Commissioner Weaver suggested that the Commission establish a procedural calendar for the remainder of the selection process. The Commission then concurred it would (1) review the input from the public; (2) conduct a preliminary individual Commissioner analysis of the three remaining candidates which have been interviewed; and (3) determine the balance of the process. Commissioner Weaver then noted he has had a secret ballot prepared for individual use. He indicated a straw vote could be advisory to the Commission and provide a point from which to proceed. Mayor Stiff stated concern with the process being considered at this time. He noted the I Commission is now considering three well-qualified individuals and has already lost one well- qualified candidate during this process. He indicated a fear that the process may begin to work against the Commission, resulting in the loss of the three remaining candidates. The Commissioners reviewed the written comments submitted by various individuals. The Commission then solicited verbal comments from the public; no one spoke. Following this review, the Commissioners each completed a secret ballot. The Commission then discussed the procedure for the remainder of the selection process. 12-08-83 Special Meeting 1f 4 1 Mayor Stiff asked if the Commission is in a position to eliminate one of the three can- didates, after reviewing the publ ic comments and the straw vote completed by the Commission- ers. Commissioner Weaver noted the Commission now has eleven people under consideration for the position of City Manager. The Commission then concurred that it has narrowed the pool of eleven applicants to two I finalists, Mr. James E. Wysocki and Mr. Kenneth D. Hertz. Commissioner Anderson urged that the Commission submit a unanimous vote for the individual who is to be extended an offer for the position of City Manager. The Commission concurred a unanimous vote would be desirable. Mayor Stiff stated the Commission must determine whether further background checks will be done on a personal basis or via the telephone. B rea k - 5: 1 0 to 5: 1 5 p. m . Mayor Stiff declared a five-minute break at 5:10 p.m., to reconvene at 5:15 p.m., in accordance with Commission policy established at their regular meeting of March 14, 1983. Discussion (continued) - City Manager selection process The Commission then discussed the possibilities of a personal visit to the community or telephone calls to the community. Commissioner Vant Hull indicated she has a local newspaper from the communities and suggested each Commissioner complete five telephone calls to persons who are I isted in the newspaper. The Commissioners concurred that telephone calls would be cheaper and faster than a personal visit. They noted if they still have concerns after the telephone calls, a personal visit could then be arranged. The Commission conducted another straw vote for one person upon which to complete further review of credentials in anticipation of making an offer. Mayor Stiff is to call that individual and let him know the Commission is completing further investigations in anticipation I of possibly extending a job offer. Mayor Stiff noted the Commission must determine what benefits are to be extended in the offer for the position of City Manager. The Commission decided to incorporate the development of a benefit package into the discussion to be held during Monday's regular Commission meeting. Adjournment - 5:30 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Weaver, seconded by Commissioner Yant Hull, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Weaver, Commissioner Vant Hull, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Mathre and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. ALFRED M. STIFF ATTEST: Clerk of the Commission I 12-08-83 Special Meeting