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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 12/16/2010 - Special APPROVED MINUTES SPECIAL EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 5:30 PM, CITY CENTER Council Chamber 8080 Mitchell Road CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Jon Duckstad, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case CITY STAFF: Interim City Manager Jay Lotthammer, City Attorney Ric Rosow, Recorder Lorene McWaters I. ROLL CALL/CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Acting Mayor Aho called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Mayor Young and Council Member Duckstad were absent. II. CONSENT CALENDAR A. CLERK'S LICENSE LIST MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Case, to approve Item A on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 3-0. III. REPORT OF THE CITY MANAGER A. SELECTION OF COMMUNITY PANEL FOR CITY MANAGER INTERVIEWS Greg Albrecht of M & A Consulting presented a list of 24 names for the City Manager Search Community Interview Panel. Rod Anderson Patrick Bernal John Bowlsby Ken Brooks Eapen Chacko Jim Clark Josh Dirlam Jan Eian Jeff Gerst Ann Harnack Ahmed Jama Irene Kelly Rick King Marty Leestma Pat MulQueeny Zina Nourkadi Kim Ross (Chair of the School Board) CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES December 16, 2010 Page 2 Jody Russell Tom Siering Len Simich Gary Stevens Jon Stoltz Lauren Weaver Basil or Mary Jane Wissner All of the names were suggested by the current Council Members and Council Members-elect. Albrecht also provided a shortened list of 18 names that had received three or more nominations. He said the ideal size for the panel would be about 12, but he suggested inviting all 18 since it is unlikely they all will be able to attend. Nelson said she favored including all 24, but asked that the list be changed to include whoever is the chair of the school board in January, in case it changes between now and then. Nelson said she has concerns that five of the people on the short list don't live in Eden Prairie. They are Pat MulQueeny, Ann Hamack, Irene Kelly, Josh Dirlam and Len Simich. Case also favored including all 24 but suggested including Mary Jane Wissner, rather than Basil Wissner, since there are fewer women on the panel. Aho said he is concerned that 24 is too many, and asked for Albrecht's opinion on that number. Albrecht said that in his professional opinion 24 is too many. Case pointed out that not all who are invited will attend. Aho asked if there is any way to limit how many are actually asking questions of the candidates. Albrecht said that can be worked out. City Attorney Rosow suggested holding a separate panel interview with the five civic leaders who do not live in the Eden Prairie. Interim City Manager Jay Lotthammer said having a panel with 16 or 18 members would be more like holding a press conference. He asked if it would be possible to collect questions from the panel at the beginning and have a moderator ask as many as they can fit into an hour. Albrecht said he would be willing to moderate such a panel. MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Case, to approve the list 24 individuals for the community interviews of the City Manager candidates. The interviews will be conducted by two panels, one made up of Eden Prairie residents and one with civic leaders who do not live in Eden Prairie. The Eden Prairie panel will include Mary Jane Wissner and the chair of the Eden Prairie School Board. Motion carried 3-0. IV. REPORT OF THE CITY ATTORNEY A. UPDATE ON CITY MANAGER SELECTION PROCESS City Attorney Richard Rosow reported on the remainder of the City Manager selection process recommended by Consultant Greg Albrecht. Mr. Rosow reviewed that Mr. Albrecht recommended one on one interviews by the council members of the six semi-finalists followed by a public meeting at which the number of candidates would be narrowed to the finalists. Under the process recommended by Mr. Albrecht the finalists will be interviewed by the City Council in a public session. Further the finalists will all be interviewed by City Department Directors, a citizen panel and participate in an Open House for citizens, all prior to the City Council CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES December 16, 2010 Page 3 interview. Mr. Rosow stated that Mr. Albrecht recommends this process and has informed the council that private one on one interviews will help provide individual council members with more candid answers to questions, will facilitate follow up questions more easily,provides a better process for obtaining information sought by each member and assists in relationship building which makes for a better interview. Mr. Rosow reviewed the statutory and case law regarding the Open Meeting Law. Mr. Rosow stated that it his opinion based on his review of the process, the basis put forth by Mr. Albrecht for the interviews and Minnesota law including Minnesota appellate court opinions that this process conforms to the Open Meeting Law. V. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Case, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 3-0.