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<br />ARDEN HILLS ciTy coUNcIL WORK SESSION - SEPTEMBER 29,2008 <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the past staff for the City of Arden Hills and the impact they <br />had on the community. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant questioned how cohesive the current staff was. Administrator Willis <br />stated his sense was there was a high level of competition between some staff members. He <br />cautioned the Council that as the City grew in size that the staff needs to grow as well. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant asked if he believed City staff worked as a team. Administrator Willis <br />stated there was a team, but that it was not functioning at its best. He indicated he was only with <br />staff on an interim basis but noted some staff members were trying to drive things. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden indicated she felt staff was still not a team; there was very little <br />communication between them. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes explained the City Administrator felt staff was working as a team <br />while individual feedback from staff indicates that there are disruptions and miscommunications. <br />Administrator Willis indicated he was new and would need to provide Council with the <br />perception that staff was working together as a team. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead asked how the Council could build a team at the staff level. Administrator <br />Willis indicated he was unsure how the Council could build the team noting this should be done <br />by the City Administrator. Staff was accountable to the City Administrator, and the City <br />Administrator was accountable to Council. Administrator Willis suggested the Council leave <br />this issue to the City Administrator and not become an additional location for accountability for <br />each staff member. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead questioned how the Council could help test or create visibility of a <br />functioning team at the staff level. Administrator Willis suggested individual Councihnembers <br />are not going to help in team building. This should be done by the City Administrator and make <br />it known that you want him to demonstrate a responsive team at the staff level; that they are <br />working and communicating with each other. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead suggested the Council find a way to empower the City Administrator to be <br />accountable and responsible. The Council agreed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden questioned who handled the HR responsibilities during the interim <br />period. Administrator Willis stated this was shared between Sue and Noah. <br /> <br />The Council thanked Former City Administrator Willis for his comments and for his time. <br />