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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 [11] Nov 27 Page 3811 November 27, 2000 City of Sl Joseph Special City Council Meeting 11/27100,7:30 PM 1. Call to Order. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met on Monday November 27th, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Kenneth Hiemenz, Cory Ehlert, Ken Twit, Maiy Niedenfuer, Bob Loso, Clerk-Administrator Cari Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens. I Others Present: AI Rassier, Kyle Schneider and Larry Hosch 2. Replacement of City Administrator - Mayor Ken Hiemenz stated that this special meeting was called to discuss the replacement of the Cari Lindberg as the Administrator for the City. The "Council has asked Judy Weyrens to attend the meeting to discuss the possibility of her being appointed to the position. Lindberg stated that she received the letter that the Council now has before them via fax this morning. It is a letter from Sister Andre Marthaler, Chamber President Tom Skahen and EDA Director Chad Carlson recommending that Judy Weyrens be appointed as the City Administrator. Loso stated that the letter is great, but that he would like to hear Weyrens say a few words on her own behalf and explain to the Council why she would like the position. Weyrens stated that a lot of things have changed since the last time she was asked about the position. She feels that she has gained a great deal of self confidence in the past few years. She has a very clear understanding of the job and thinks that with a new Council coming on that this will be a great opportunity. It is also a good use of her time as she won't have to train in a new administrator and a new Council. She stressed that she has done the position before when she filled in when Rachel left. I Lindberg added that it is also important to remember that at that time, she was doing two jobs at once: the Administrator position as well as her own. Niedenfuer a!:;ked Weyrens how she fell about the one year probationary period that was discussed previously. Weyrens stated that she feels good and bad. She understands that there needs to be som!J sort of a trial period, but feels as though she already proved herself when she filled in for th.¡¡ eight months after Rachel left. Loso asked what would be done about replacing the position she has now. Weyrens state that the Council may consider waiting until after the audit is complete so the new person can start with January 1, 2001 books. If the Council hires immediately to fill the existing positien, it would have to be someone with a strong accounting background that would be able to pick up the financial work easily. Twit stated that with the new GASB standards in place everyone is going to be learning the new system, so it isn't as if Weyrens can train them in every aspect. Twit stated that his only concern is with Weyren's comfort level with managing people and being the "bad guy." Weyrens stated again that many things have changed over the past few years. Our current space contributes greatly to some of the problems as the employees are practically sitting in eachother's laps. Weyrens stated that she feels like she has handled difficult situations in the past and doesn1 feel like she lets residents or employees walk all over her. ~uring this past election ~fWl!m~l!y, m'~.~ ~....!'.r'. ~..9..m..w. touC.hysituations that had to be dealt WIth. She added that she knows she clll1ban4/!' !f~,qq ØQI1Slders herself a very strong person. .. .., "';. ... 1 , Loso stated that as Administrator Weyrens would not be able toþ~ if) mß union. Weyrens :,,, j;.' Page 3812 November 27, 2000 1 stated that pulling out ofthe union would not be a problem. Weyrens added that she assumes this would be a contractual situation and thinks that this is important. Wrth Councils that come and go and with some of the issues that arise ìn managing people, its important to have the security of the contract to fall back on. Hiemenz stated that he reviewed the criteria that the Council used to hire the last Administrator. As he looked overthe list he realized that Weyrens handles, and has handled every one of those areas. The only area that she doesn't have the experience in is the management. Hiemenz added that he knows that Weyrens can handle the job and would be happy to continue working with her if that was going to be the case. Loso made a motion to offer the position to Judy Weyrens contingent upon a contractual agreement being reached with her. Twit seconded the motion. Twit asked Weyrens how she felt about how the rest of the employees will react to this. They know her and have worked with her for many years and in a sense, she is now jumping to the other side. Weyrens stated she knows that the transition will be difficult, but knows that It will all work out. AI Rassier stated that he knows what an excellent job Weyrens does. His only concern is that she doesn't try and do it all herself. She needs to be sure and delegate some of the work to other people. He saw the hours that she put in when Rachel left and she needs to be able to give some of that work away. I Ehlert stated that he supports Weyrens in the position 11 0%. He added that this Council has been very supportive of the employees taking advantage of continuing education and would encourage her to take some management courses if she is interested in them. He added that this is a great opportunityforWeyrens and the City. Loso asked that Weyrens come back to the Council with a proposed contract on Thursday night that they could review after the meeting with the Planning Commission. Undberg stated that they could also bring a sample ad and job description forthe new position that will replace Weyrens. Hiemenz added that it's important that the words 'confidential employee" be added to the job description. Weyrens stated that she would just like to thank the City for all of their support. She is excited about this opportunity and really does want to succeed. Hiemenz called the question and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Adjourn - Loso made a motion to adjourn at 8:05, seconded by Twit The motion passed unanimousty. Respectfully Submitted, ~w:1bu Cari Lindberg ~ Clerk/Administrator City ofSl Joseph I