09-20-10-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 7 then requested each Councilmember submit a list of conditions they would like to see included in a denial with conditions. Mayor Harpstead commented that it is not in the City's best interest to simply deny municipal consent. He asked Terry to formulate six questions for the Council to review and he asked each Councilmember to respond to Terry on those six questions. Terry and Kris will also review the previously approved resolutions as a starting point. 2.E Staff Updates: Emergency Management Discussion, Community Development Director Search, and Police Contracted Services Annual Performance Review Emergency Management Discussion City Administrator Klaers stated previously the Public Works Director was responsible for the Emergency Management Program. Since the City has such a small staff and since he is not an expert in emergency management, he decided to investigate how other cities handle this issue. He learned that some municipalities hire a contracted employee or consultant to oversee this program. He then interviewed three individuals and has selected the person he believes would be the best fit. He asked the Council to authorize him to request a proposal from Lance Ross, Emergency Preparedness Resource Group LLC. He pointed out there is $1 0,000 in the 2011 budget for contracted services. Councilmember Holden explained that she has this type of responsibility in her full time position and that it would take a great deal of City Staff time to manage the program. She supported the idea of hiring a contractor. The consensus of the Council was to move forward with obtaining a proposal from Lance Ross. Community Development Director Search City Administrator Klaers stated the Staff committee involved in the interviews unanimously recommends one candidate. He asked if the Council would like to meet with her prior to the next regular meeting. Mayor Harpstead commented that director level positions bring direction and ideas to the table and that it would be a good idea for the Council to meet with her. City Administrator Klaers explained that this candidate would be taking a cut in wages and benefits but she is very interested in this opportunity from a professional standpoint. She is concerned about the fact that the City has had four Community Development Directors in the past nine years and she is concerned about her job security. To address that concern, Mr. Klaers has added a severance clause to the employment contract that would allow for six month's severance if she is terminated without cause in the first two years; three month's severance if she is terminated without cause in two to four years; and no severance after four years. Mayor Harpstead pointed out that the City hasn't dismissed anyone without cause.