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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-11-13 - City Commission Special Meeting Minutes5811 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE 9 TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321 TELEPHONE (305) 722-5900 November 7, 1980 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCIL TAMARAC, FLORIDA Please be advised of a Special Meeting of the City Council to be held on Thursday, November 13, 1980 at 10:00 A.M. in the West Conference Room at City Hall. The purpose of the Meeting is to conduct Interviews for the position of City Manager. Council may consider such other business as may come before it. The Public is invited to attend. Pursuant to Chapter 80-150 of Florida Law, Senate Bill No. 368: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at such Meeting, he will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Carol A. Evans Assistant City Clerk /1c 11/7/80 CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 13, 1980 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Helen Massaro called the Special Meeting to order on Thursday, November 13, 1980 at 10:20 A.M. in the West Conference Room of City Hall. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilwoman Marjorie Ketch Councilman Irving Disraelly Vice Mayor Helen Massaro ALSO PRESENT ABSENT AND EXCUSED: City Attorney,Arthur Birken City Clerk, Marilyn Berthol£ Mayor Walter Falck Councilman Irving Zemel Vice Mayor Massaro stated that the purpose of this Meeting is to interview Mr. William Law, an applicant for the position of City Manager. Vice Mayor Massaro asked the City Clerk to notify Mr. Evan Cross that, if he is available, the Council would interview him after Mr. Law. (Mr. Cross indicated that he would be available). Mr. Law was invited to review his personal, educational background, as summarized in his resume. (attached) Following Mr. Law's presentation, Councilman Disraelly and Council- woman Kelch asked questions specifically relating to Mr. Law's professional career to which Mr. Law responded that: The move from Pensacola to State government was not a political appointment, but was a career improvement and explained the reason for the state appointment, then a transfer to Boca Raton where there was a problem between himself and the Council resulting in his voluntarily leaving; and the problems seemed to remain with his successors. Arvida was not involved in the politics of the City or to have been a part of the problem. Councilwoman Kelch asked Mr. Law to present his viewpoint of the effectiveness of the City Manager/Council form of government and how he thinks it is most productive. Mr. Law responded that the Council/Manager form of government is a very effective one when a good working relationship is established among the Council, Manager, Department Heads and employees. Having a professional staff on which to depend for information makes this form of government more effective, for instance, than a strong Mayor form of government. The Council/Manager form of government offers stability, business type approach to government and gives the department heads a resource with which to work in the form of a knowledgeable supervisor. In response to a question by ... Councilwoman_Kelch as to why Mr. Law applied for this position.and is he familiar, generally, with the City; he stated that he was generally familiar with Tamarac,"having been through the City a few times. He feels he should move to the City if he was given the appointment, that Tamarac is very attractive. He is anxious to be a City Manager again, on a selective basis. Mr. Law believes he has a forte in budgeting, finance, personnel, public relations. His former staffs would like him to return to former position because he is fair, consistent, but a firm administrator. He indicated that, at this point, he doesn't have a cadre of people to accompany him to Tamarac. on 11/13/80 /lc Mr. Law stated that he had Utility Management experience in both Pensacola and Boca Raton and explained the situations. Councilwoman Kelch questioned Mr. Law on his philosophy with respect to the City providing services to the residents through the depart- ments or the City contracting with the specialized businesses in the private sector to supply services. In the long run, Mr. Law stated that it would cost the City more money to contract for the service performed if it is on a continuing basis. However, there are areas that would be cheaper for the private sector to perform the service in lieu of the City. An annual review and evaluation of cost effectiveness of the individual programs should be made to best serve the City. Mr. Law, in response to a question from Vice Mayor Massaro, stated that while he would not insist on a contract, he would like to have a letter of understanding to include salary, fringe benefits and severance arrangements. He didn't want to be specific on salary _ desires, etc. Mr. Law stated that he had a general awareness of the physical layout of the City, as well as the situation as it relates to Management and staff. He would like to use the first two or three months as a learn- ing period. He emphasized a study of both utility systems, their assets and deficiencies, etc. Vice Mayor Massaro questioned whether Mr. Law had been fired from any job or left under difficult circumstances other than Boca Raton, to which Mr. Law responded in the negative. Mr. Law agreed to giving the City written authorization to perform a past employment check. Mr. Law, in response to a question by Vice Mayor Massaro, stated that he believes in controlled growth and explained his point of view. Mr. Law wondered whether Tamarac has, or would like to, establish a list of goals and objectives to achieve for a specific period of time. Vice Mayor Massaro referred to the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Law questioned and discussed the City's litigation situation with Mr. Birken. Mr. Law was questioned on his feeling of the Council reviewing bills to which he stated that he believes that that would be a satisfactory situation. Mr. Law and Councilman Disraelly discussed the frequency of attendance in City Hall. by Council people by whom Mr. Law was employed in the past. Discussion was held concerning a time frame in which Council would require the position to be filled, etc. Vice Mayor Massaro explained the Council liaison system whereby each Councilperson is assigned, by the Mayor, an administrative area to monitor for the whole Council. She asked Mr. Law for his feelings on this system. Mr. Law stated that he has no objection to such a system; however, he has two concerns. One is that the Council may not want to, as a group, establish policies, practices, etc. that relate to a specific area of interest. The Manager has to work for the entire Council; there- fore, must do what the majority wishes. Secondly, a Councilperson would then be expected to devote more time to the job than desired which may cause him/her to become irritated thus taking it out on the staff. Mr. Law stated that while he doesn't object to this type of system, he would expect the Council to, collectively have a responsibility to the Manager to express to the Manager what their interests are. -2- 11/13/80 /lc Councilman Disraelly clarified the system by stating that the Council doesn't estabish administrative policy or problems, if they observe a problem, etc. it is referred to the City Manager. Further, Councilwoman Kelch explained the restrictions of the Charter where Council is required to approve most operations in the City. Discussion was held concerning personnel policies. The interview was then concluded and Vice Mayor Massaro thanked Mr. Law for his attendance. Another Meeting will be set for additional interviews. The Meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM. ATTEST: J CITY CLERK This public docummt was promulgated at a cost of $ 3 or $ per copy, to inform the general public and public officers and employees at out recent opinions and considerations by the City Council of the City of Tamarac. -3- APPROVED BY 11/13/80 /lc J Born: Height: Weight: Colonie, New York February 23, 1930 RESUME of WILLIAM H. LAW, JR. PERSONAL Mailing Address: 10010 S.W. 133 Street Miami, Florida 33176 5' 10" Telephone: (305) 232-0006 225 lbs. Marital Status: Married - 4 children University of Pennsylvania Wharton School - Fels Institute University of Maine History and Government Department Troy High School Troy, New York F.nT7r.ATTnXAT. DATE DEGREE MAJOR Feb/59 MGA Public Sept/57 Administration June/57 BA Public Sept/53 Management June/49 General Sept/44 The two university programs are considered among the best in the nation. Both were accelerated, heavy duty formats. Maine had heavy engineering and business exposure as a part of the Public Management Program; Pennsylvania stressed administration, personnel and finance. Maine's course was oriented toward small jurisdictions and Pennsylvania's was directed toward larger operations. Between the two schools, I have an educational background in: Administration; Finance; Personnel; Labor and Management Relations; History; Politics; Highway Construction; Public Relations; Municipal Law; Accounting; Statistics; Surveying; Sanitary Engineering; Health; Police and Fire Admin- istration; Assessment; Zoning; Planning; Federal and State Government. Other fields associated with business and governmental activities were also explored during my formal education. ASSOCIATIONS International City Management Association; American Society of Public Administration, Gold Coast Chapter, Founder and Past President; Florida City and County Managers' Association, Board of Directors; Florida League of Cities, Municipal Finance Committee; Florida ,atlantic University, College for Public and Business Administration, Executive Advisory Committee; Guest Lecturer for University of West Florida and Florida Atlantic. MILITARY United States Navy June 1953 Electronic Technician Honorable Discharge July 1949 -4- 11/13/80 /1c EXPERIENCE POPU- NUMBER OF AGENCY DATES TITLE LATION EMPLOYEES Dade County, Florida To date Assignments 1.7 mil. 17,000 Jan/76 noted below Currently Special Assistant to the Manager with responsibility for negotiations relating to major projects with goal of establishing a minimum or non -tax support funding base for major zoo complex, major stadium and other similar activities. Previously responsible for directing revenue producing facilities which included: five golf courses, five marinas, two camp grounds, three parking lots, parking garage, public gun range, thirty food dispensing sites including full restaurant, lease monitor for privately operated facilities such as seaquarium and restaurants, all of which was ac- complished within a proprietary fund. These activities have been placed in the Park and Recreation Department. Prior assignment was to direct a multi -faceted support agency, General Services Administra- tion, which included: architectural design and construction of public buildings; pur- chasing; insurance and risk management; mobile equipment fleet; central stores, printing and mail service; building maintenance; property leases; electronic communications; energy conservation and projects requiring interdepartmental coordination. Initial position was as Staff Assistant to the Manager in areas of building and zoning; airports, seaport and labor relations. Boca Raton, Florida May/75 City Manager 49,000 Dec/72 710 Chief executive officer responsible for all municipal functions and services such as police, fire, utilities, garbage collection, etc. Tallahassee, Florida Dec/72 Staff Director --- Jan/71 11 Directed staff effort to review, analyze and prepare legislation in the Committee's area; approximately 15% of all legislation introduced in both houses. Pensacola, Florida Jan/71 City Manager 59,500 Oct/65 950 Chief executive officer as noted above (Boca Raton); also with major utilities, regional airport, seaport and two -county library function. Between 1958 and 1965 I served as Chief Administrator in Irvington and Franklin Township, New Jersey; Woodstock, Illinois, as well as Guttenberg, Iowa. These communities ranged in size from 53,OOO.to 1,800, respectively. In each municipality I have been the chief executive officer, negotiator, administrator. Collectively, these positions provided me with wide administrative experience in small, medium and extremely large organizations. In addition, extensive opportunities in land planning, data processing, building and ground maintenance, recreation, governmental relations, utility operations, labor re- lations and personnel administration were realized.