Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-05-16 - City Commission Special Meeting Minutes0 �� MAIL REPLY TO: P.O. BOX 25010 TAMARAC. F LOR I DA 33320 5811 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE 9 TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321 TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCIL TAMARAC, FLORIDA Please be advised of a City Council Special Meeting to be held on Friday, May 16, 1986, at 9:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 5811 N.W. 88 Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. The purpose of this Special Meeting is to interview John P. Kelly, candidate for City Manager. FINAL ACTION: The Interview was held between Council and Mr. John P. Kelly, candidate for City Manager. The public is invited to attend. Possible action regarding City Clerk -Discussion and possible action. Marilyn Bertholf CMC City Clerk MB : t s Pursuant to Section 286.01.05, Florida Statutes If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the city Council with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS p);..n � �� P•O. BOX 25010 TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33320 Tape 1: 1. r F CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA SPECIAL CITY COUNC-1L MEETING MAY 1 G., 9 .Ss. a CALL TO ORDER: Mayor lla%t c4141'ed the rde�et aq to order at 9:00 A.M. on Friday, May 1'6, 1986 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. RQLL_CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Bernard Hart Vice Mayor Sydney M. Stein Councilwoman Helen Massaro Councilman 'Jack Stelzer Councilman Arthur M. Gottesman ALSO P E ENT: Larry Ferretti, City Manager .Patrica Marcurio, Secjretary Pauline Walaszek, Secretary Mayor Hart introduced. Mr. Kelly to Council, Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly to please describe his Management style as it relates to a Council/Manager form of Government. Mr. Kelly replied that his style is one of combining some political skills and that in order to be a successful City Manager in a progressive City, the City Manager has to be politically astute and politically aloof. Mr. Kelly said he thinks that the responsibility of a City Manager is first to the City and to the Council to which he is subordinate. C/W Massaro asked Mr. Kelly that when he said first to the City, what did he mean by that. Mr. Kelly said that he meant the-=ouncil, and he hoped that Counci3 interpreted his statement as such. C/W Massaro said that no, she did not understand what Mr. Kelly was saying because he made the City and the Council separate. C/W Massaro referred to the words 'subordinate to the Council.' Mr. Kelly answered that the Council hires him. C/W Massaro said she knows that and wanted to clear that as Council went along. Mayor Hart questioned Mr. Kelly as to how he would describe his work habits and personality. Mr. Kelly replied that he thinks his personality is one that can get along with people. He is able to make people come together to work toward a common goal. Mr. Kelly said he is sensitive to the departments and the departments' demands and needs and the departments' abf3ity to be responsible to the public. Mr. Kelly said A his own work habits are pretty strong. Mr. Kelly said that one o.L the problems that he has had in previous roles is that he is not a party person. Mr. Kelly thinks he is a nice, friendly and warm person but he is not V party oriented. He is more professional and involved in lot of professional organizations: the President of the Elective Broward Counties American Society of Public Administrators and a member of several economic development Professional organizations. Mr. Kelly said that he would hope that he is not a workaholic, and that he believes that if work is done right, and if committed to it, it can be fun. Mayor Hart said that the City of Tamarac is basically residential community of retirees who demand the most efficient operation possible from their municipal government. He asked Mr. Kelly how he would instill confidence in the residents upon assuming the City Manager position. Mr. Kelly answered that he feels the first responsibility is getting to know the residents. in each community that he has served, he would have to go out and meet the people and find out what the people's needs and, concerns are and try to interact effectively with the them. Mr. Kelly said that Tamarac is at this time essentially a bedroom community and that one of the grime concerns is to try and broaden and diversify the tax base to make it more efficient so that the City can continue to effectively be a quality bedroom community and to allow the residents to continue in a life style to which A are accustomed and to which their goals, aspire. Mayor Hart questioned Mr. Kelly as to his Management philosophy for improving morale among City employees if he assumed the City Manager position. Mr. Kelly replied that the question relates back to t previous question. The first thing that he would have is to ascertain what the morale is. if it is less than what it should be, then he would try to make some goal determinations. Mr. Kelly said that the €first responsibility is to determine the level of moral to and elevate it through interaction with the department heads and the personnel to make it a more pleasant work environment. Mr. Kelly said without goals a person can internalize his frustrations and tear himself apart. Mayor Hart inquired about Mr. Kelly's experience in dealing with various community groups who function in a scrutinizing watchdog capacity over municipal government. Mr. Kelly responded that his experience is rather extensive. He has had eight (8) years experience in Broward County as a Products Coordinator for the County's Community Development Program in which this City partici- pated some years back and received some bands. He said one of his responsibilities was putting together a Citizens Advisory Committee. At that time, there were 66 members on the original committee; two representing each o€ 33 different districts in Broward County, all of whom were buying for community development block grant funds in Broward County. He said he had to interact as a citizen participation coordinator for all of tho groups. Mr. Kelly said it was the only way to get know community by getting out there dealing and interacting with them and going to the meeting with the groups, not simply getting a report from a representative, but going out there and feeling the gut reactions of the people. r -Z- Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly if he has had any experience with the City Government when the Police or Fire Departments were not under his authority. Mr. Kelly replied that he has not had direct experience with the Police or Fire Departments being directly under him. He said that he has worked either as an assistant or nominal assistant without the strict definition of such to the City Manager, for instance, in the Town of Davie, and in Connecticut, to the professional assistant to the first selectman which is comparable to Mayor there. in both instances the Police and Fire Departments were departments with which he interacted in assisting the administrator in dealing with them. Mayor Hart asked which of the following, Budgeting, Personnel, Labor Relations, Utilities, Finance, Public safety and Engineering is Mr. Kelly's strongest and which are his weakest fields. Mr. Kelly replied that Personnel, Utilities, Public Works are his good fields, however, he would line to have more skills in Finance. He said he has worked on Capital projects, Capital Budgeting, budgeting for departments and assisting the City Manager. Mr. Kelly said that he has dealt with some excellent people, and he has learned a great deal but feels he needs to learn more. Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly to describe in detail his greatest achievement relative to a governmental reorganization program resulting in meaningful savings and improved delivery of governmental services. Mr. Kelly replied that one of the efficient things he has accomplished was getting a Capital improvements Program put together and a Capital Budget Committee. Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly if he felt it is important for a City to have an overall plan for Parks and Recreation facilities where condominiums flourish with their own recreational facilities. Mr. Kelly replied that he thinks every community is an overall plan in that community, recreation being one of them. Mr. Kelly said that a comprehensive plan can combine the elements that are already provided. He said that there should be an overall plan but that does not have to be inconsistent with the fact that some areas are already providing services. Mayor Hart questioned Mr. Kelly as to how long atenure he is seeking with the City of Tamarac, what would be his minimum salary requirements and what would be his minimum benefit package. Mr. Kelly replied that at the present time he is getting $39,000.00 with $3,000.00 provided for car allowance, and Council provides 11.4% for Pension plus fringe benefits. He said that he receives $47,000.00 basic including most of the benefits without the health programs. Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly if he has a contract with the Town of Davie. Mr. Kelly said that he does not. Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly if he was selected as the City Manager of Tamarac, how would he propose to organize the management system and what is his personal philosophy regarding a team management concept. Mr. Kelly answered that he feels it would be premature to say what management program or team he would put together without coming in and seeing what is here. He said that he does not know how the management program is established now and it would certainly be premature to tell Council what he would do. Mr. Kelly said that he could not attempt to tell Council what he would do with the existing team but as far as the team spirit and the team approach he is very strong on that. Mr. Kelly feels that it is very important to sit down with individual department heads to determine where the department heads are and to invite and insist on the department heads contributions to whatever proposals that he is proposing. Mayor Hart questioned Mr. Kelly as to what relationships he would establish with his department heads. Mr. Kelly replied that he would have to interact very closely with the department heads to see if their goals are consistent with what the City would like for the community. He said that there would have to be a close relationship with the department heads. He said that he is aloof and does not believe in partying with the department heads because it could lead to a weakness and and an imaginative style. Mr. Kelly said that the relationship should be cordial and professional while assuming a certain distance. He feels that it is important to interact very effectively and closely in a warm relationship here in the City Hall. Mayor Hart questioned Mr. Kelly as to what his feelings concerning a Charter Board were. Mr. Kelly answered he has had many committees and boards to deal with and there is a lot of validity and value in the contributions that boards can provide. He said that it would take an assessment of where the City is at to determine whether or not it would it would provide a valuable contribution to the Community. He said that if there is valuable contribution to the community, then he would obviously recommend it and that it is important to be a leader and yet still have the participation of the people and if the Charter Board is what is in analysis, for the effective running of the City of Tamarac, he would recommend and support it. Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly what is his attitude was towards Unions. Mr. Kelly replied that Unions provide very effective roles for the labor force in this country and he has not had any problems with the them. He said that he has belonged to the Unions in Broward County and he can work very effectively with them and that they can play a very valuable role which can be a strengthening role for the work force as a morale booster. 4 4 Mayor Hart questioned Mr. Kelly problems a City Manager can expect working relationship with his Police and is a City Manager justified in with the Police and Fire Departments _4_ as to what kinds of in developing a good and Fire Departments not getting involved and why. Mr. Kelly answered that he does not see how a City Manager can be effective and not interact with the Police and Fire Departments. He feels that involvement with Police and Fire Departments is vital and it would be ridiculous to assume that the City Manager can effectively represent the City and not interact with those Departments. Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly what method or approach would he take in rating an employees work performance. Mr. Kelly responded by saying that he does not evaluate the appearance of an employee, he evaluates the performance, the work produced and the quality and the timeliness of the employee. Mayor Hart questioned Mr. Kelly as to what method or approach he would use in establishing a fair and equitable pay plan. Mr. Kelly replied he would look at current and existing market values and rates that are being paid in other areas and come up with reasonable determinations of a pay plan. Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly for what kinds of construction or other improvements does he think bonding is appropriate and when is bonding inappropriate. Mr. Kelly said that it is inappropriate when the capacity of a Town is insufficient to sustain bonding. He has supported bonding in capital projects such as sewers, water and utility lines, in which that bonding can go for all capital improvements that the community wants to put forth. He said that with the rates being what they are today, it is a prime time to go out for bonding. Mayor Hart questioned Mr. Kelly as to what has been his experience in securing grants, County, State or Federal for a Municipality. Mr. Kelly answered that one of his initial professional positions was as a grants coordinator. He said his functions were as a coordinator of Federal Products in Griswald, Connecticut, which involved extensive work. Mayor Hart asked Mr. Kelly if there was anything in his background that someday could come out in which would embarrass either Mr. Kelly or the City. Mr. Kelly replied that the only thing would be his Masters Degree from Southern Connecticut College and the degree was received without benefit of doing the thesis. He said the reason for that was when he entered the program it was on a practicum course, practicum meaning that he was evaluated based on his work program as opposed to doing a thesis and during the course program the College changed to a thesis program. The Director recommended Mr. Kelly for the honors and the Whose Who in American Colleges and Universities. Mr. Kelly contacted the registrar's office and said that he appreciated the degree at which time he brought to their attention that he did not pass by thesis. The Director told Mr. Kelly that he was not the Director of the Department, and the Director thanked and congradulated him. Mr. Kelly felt that he did not have benefit of a thesis to receive the degree. Mayor Hart informed Mr. Kelly that there were no more questions and opened the questioning to Council. C/M Gottesman said he was not sure that he heard Mr. Kelly indicate his salary requirements for the City. C/M Gottesman asked Mr. Kelly if he had a specific figure in mind and also when would he be available. Mr. Kelly replied that he had already discussed his availability with Town of Davie and they agreed that he would be available before July. He said that he has a number of projects to finish for the Town of Davie and the Town Administrator is not anxious to have Mr. Kelly leave until the projects are finished. C/M Gottesman queried Mr. Kelly if he was saying July 1, 1986. Mr. Kelly replied no later than July 1, 1986. Mr. Kelly said that what he would like to get in salary from the City of Tamarac is more than what he is presently making. Mr. Kelly said that he has told Council his present salary at the Town of Davie, which gave Council an idea. Mr. Kelly said that he does have two (2) key seminars in July and August which he hopes to attend approved by the Town of Davie. July in Tallahassee, which is a Florida Industrial Development Workshop, and also in Norman, Oklahoma, which he has been accepted in the course of one (1) week, each of three (3) years, the course is a Certification as an Industrial Developer. C/M Gottesman said that he still does not have a grasp of what Mr. Kelly is expecting for salary. Mr. Kelly said that he is being paid $39,000_.00 with #3,000.00 for travel which is $42,000.00 on which the pension program is based and he is hoping for more than what he is making now. C/M Gottesman asked Mr. Kelly if he gets the $3,000.00 whether he travels or not. Mc. Kelly replied that yes he does get the $3,000.00, that it is a fixed car allowance $2_5,0. 00 o 49441a. C/M Gottesman said to Mr. Kelly that by saying the employees work product, the City may have a demon that is a workaholic, in which Mr. Kelly said that he is not a workaholic, so how woul_4I Mr. Kelly rate such a person if they do not get along with the other employees. Mr. Kelly replied that he does not evaluate appearance, but he is not going to let sandals, slLower clogs or whatever come into the office, his key criteria is the quality of the work product, the product, the timeliness and the delivery the ability to interact together. C/M Gottesman asked Mr. Belly if he does recognize the tither things other than just an effective product. Mr. -Kelly replied certainly. Vice Mayor Stein asked Mr. Kelly to tell the Council what 44 help he would be towards the City in effort to perform and proceed in receiving grants and help from the State and the County. -6- 1/ Mr. Kelly said that was one of the things that has him charged and excited about coming to this Community, the potential that the "Industrial Development Board has. Mr. Kelly said that he initiated or revitalized the Economic Development Board with the Town of Davie and they have expanded out to include some very impressive people in the Development field. Mr. Kelly said that his involvement in Product Horizon working closely with Jim Gavard of the Broward Economic Development Board in Mr. Kelly's own experience dictates that he can be very helpful in not only the effective operation but also the organizational structure in which he would like to have input and advise. Mr. Kelly said while he supports the intent and purposes of the Sunshine Law, one of the key emphasis that must be put on the economic development is the requirement for strict confidentiality among the prospective people coming into the Community. Mr. Kelly said that the role in the Community of Davie has been to advise the City Council Members on an individual basis so that they can ensure that the confidentiality of the perspective client is protected. He said that one of the concerns, is when a business is looking to come into the Community, the business will say that they are coming into the City of Tamarac and the City will be excited about it but they use that as leverage to get a better package back home and were not necessarily serious about coming into the City in the first place. Mr. Kelly said that his position has been with the community and to keep the Council and the Chairman abreast of what is happening until there is a contract with that perspective client. V/M Stelzer questioned Mr. Kelly about his experience with budgeting. Mr. Kelly answered that his work with the Town of Davie and with the Town Administrator was putting the budget packages together. Councilwoman Massaro had no questions. City Manager had no questions. Mayor Hart suggested Mr. Kelly should get an application from the Personnel Department for further information. Mayor Hart asked Council if there are any further questions. -7- C./ Mayor Hart closed the meeting with no further questions or response. dAA11 MAYOR ATTEST: ITY CLE CITY OF TAMARA IV` PROVED AT MEETING OF City Cler This public document was promulgated at a cost of $87-=00 or $2.43 per copy to inform the general public and public officers and employees about recent opinions and considerations by the City Council of the City of Tamarac. 4A