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Home My WebLink About1983-12-10 spec 448 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION BOZEMAN, MONTANA DECEMBER 10, 1983 ***************************** The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in special session in the Commission Room, I Municipal Building, December 10, 1983, at 9:00 a.m. Present were Mayor Stiff, Commissioner Weaver, Commissioner Yant Hull, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Mathre and Clerk of the Commission Sullivan. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Commissioner Math re . 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 stated the candidate upon which the Commission completed additional back- ground checks is Mr. James E. Wysocki. The Mayor stated he has had several telephone conversa- tions with Mr. Wysocki since the special meeting held on Thursday; and a summary of the pro- posed benefit package has been submitted to the Commissioners. The Mayor also noted many telephone calls have been placed into the community and asked each Commissioner to summarize I those telephone calls. Commissioner Anderson stated the responses she has received include hardworking indivi- dual, has done a great job and works for the City and not himself. They also noted he is a family man. The individuals have expressed a reluctance to have him leave Grand Junction. Also, the University has indicated that he is good in negotiations, and they respect him. His recreation background seems to be a tremendous help in his understanding of young people. Commissioner Mathre stated one of the individuals she contacted indicated the staff is loyal; and he has a team effort. Also, he is firm but fair with his employees. The, Co~"}is- sioner also stated another reference indicated he is calm. She noted the present Council is younger and more difficult to deal with. The Council's attitude is now one of pro-development, which conflicts with Mr. Wysocki's phi losophy. Also, he is tactful; and his management staff is stable. Another individual noted he has a lot of foresight regarding things that will happen in the community. He is realistic and concerned about the community. The reference also noted Mr. Wysocki does not have a big ego. Also, he could earn more income in the private sector, but is dedicated to h is professional commitment. Also, he noted Mr. Wysocki is a family man. Mayor Stiff stated he received favorable comments, such as kind, congenial, follows through, and a loss to the community. Another individual described him as personable, well thought of. Yet another indicated he is honorable, hardworking and personable. One of the reporters for the local newspaper stated Mr. Wysocki is the most effective City Manager he has ever been around. The Mayor also noted references indicate he is respected by the employees and the media; works well with combinations of Commissioners; is basically honest and follows I through. The reference also indicated he feels at least one of the new Councilmen may have run with a hidden agenda to retire Mr. Wysocki as City Manager. Commissioner Weaver stated one individual indicated Mr. Wysocki has prudent management of the City's assets. The financial community feels he is prudent and respects him. Another individual described him as an extraordinarily effective administrator and is not aware of any internal or external problems. Special Meeting 12-10-83 It 48 Commissioner Vant Hull stated she checked with the Director of Personnel for the City of Grand Junction. She found that Mr. Wysocki is fair, and often goes the extra mi Ie for women to see they have a chance. She also found the employees feel he is a good City Manager. Another reference indicated he has a great ability to relate to people. Also, he is flexible in solving problems but is a person of conviction. Also, he is characterized as being forceful in a I quiet way. Mayor Stiff noted the responses from those individuals called is uniform. He also noted he had talked to Mr. Wysocki five times in the last few days, and that Commissioner Weaver had been involved in one of those conversations. He stated a proposed benefit package to be ex- tended to Mr. Wysocki for employment has been developed. He indicated the Commission should review and revise the proposal and approve the final benefit package prior to extending a formal offer. The Commission then reviewed the benefit package, which is to include: $41,000.00 annu{31 salary through June 30, 1985; hospital and dental insurance premiums for him and his family (standard City practice); ICMA retirement annuity in the amount of ten percent of gross salary; life insurance premiums, not to exceed $500.00, on a $150,000.00 term life policy; FICA covered (standard City practice); payment of dues to ICMA, National League of Cities and Towns, Montana League of Cities and Towns, and Great Open Space City Management Association (currently being paid by City); expenses to attend Montana League of Cities and Towns convention and one other convention per year; moving expenses, including one personal vehicle trip, not to exceed $4,000.00; temporary lodging allowance of $500.00; begin work on February 1, 1984; annual employment agreement review starting December 1984 and conducted annually thereafter; two months' severance pay in event of immediate termination by employer; two months' written notice by certified mail for customary termination of agreement by either party; six-month evaluations (on a continuing basis); five days' wages paid for moving process; five days' advanced sick leave, if needed (to be absorbed in normal accrual process); car available for I use during regular business hours and for City business; vacation leave to be earned at rate as set forth in the Montana Code Annotated, based on 15 days' leave per year. It was moved by Commissioner Weaver, seconded by Commissioner Vant Hull, that the Commission adopt the benefit package, as set forth above, subject to review by City Attorney Crumbaker-Smith. 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. It was moved by Commissioner Vant Hull, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, that the Commission extend an offer, including the benefit package, to Mr. James E. Wysocki to become the City Manager of Bozeman, Montana. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Vant Hull, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Mathre, Commissioner Weaver and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. Mayor Stiff noted an I nterim City Manager must be appointed, since City Manager John Evans will leave on December 31, 1983; and the new City Manager is not expected to arrive until February 1,1984. The Mayor then indicated he has talked to Director, of Finance Swan; and she has agreed to accept the appointment of Interim City Manager for the month of January 1984. He then suggested she receive a ten percent increase during this time period to compen- sate for the additional duties she will incur. It was moved by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Mathre, that the Commission appoint Director of Finance Amy Swan as Interim City Manager for the month of January 1984 at a ten percent increase in wages for that one-month period. The motion carried I by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Mathre, Commissioner Weaver, Commissioner Vant Hull and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. The Commission then discussed the letters that must be written to complete the process. Those letters include: letters to the ten unsuccessful candidates remaining in the pool; Mr. Doug Lowe; Mr. Bob Brown, Personnel Director of School District No.7; the Baxter Hotel; the Holiday Inn; and the Chamber of Commerce. Special Meeting 12-10-83 . 450 Adjournment - 9:55 a.m. There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Weaver, seconded by Commissioner Vant Hull, that the meeting be ad- journed. 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. ST I FF, Mayor I ATTEST: Clerk of the Commission I I Special Meeting 12-10-83