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<br />City Council Study Session - 07/17/06 <br />Minutes - Page 17 <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan suggested that the City Council consider <br />candidates from outside City staff (i.e., former and retired staff, <br />such as former Finance Director Ed Burrell), and would <br />eliminate fairness concerns if any current staff were to consider <br />the City Manager position on a permanent basis. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough opined his support of Public Works <br />Director Duane Schwartz for the Interim City Manager position, <br />even though Mr. Schwartz hadn't applied for the position. <br /> <br />Human Resources Director Bacon advised the City Council to <br />keep under consideration a retiree's benefit impacts (i.e., PERA <br />and potential penalties for the retiree; COBRA health insurance <br />coverage) and other potential complications and limitations that <br />may arise under a contract position. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing expressed his tremendous respect for Mr. <br />Schwartz and his abilities; however, he noted that no other City <br />staff had expressed an interest in applying for the position when <br />given several opportunities to do so. Mayor Klausing further <br />expressed his concern that with Mr. Burrell's out-of-state <br />residency and length of time out of city government questioned <br />the continuity with the visioning and budgeting processes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Pust expressed her satisfaction with the process <br />and that, while given the opportunity to apply, no other staff <br />persons had expressed an interest in applying and thus made their <br />own professional choices. Councilmember Pust opined that <br />while she had not previously considered Mr. Burrell, but <br />recognized his history with the City, she was supportive of Mr. <br />Miller's application; and further opined the need to have <br />someone in place immediately upon City Manager Beets' <br />departure. <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan concurred on the need to have someone in <br />place as of Friday, July 21, 2006; and suggested appointing Mr. <br />Miller to be the Acting City Manager until an Interim City <br />Manager was appointed at an upcoming City Council meeting <br />after other alternatives had been pursued and evaluated. <br /> <br />Councilmember Maschka opined that Mr. Miller was the obvious <br />