Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-26-2006 ‎(regular)‎ — reading text

Walton Beach is subject to a second and final public hearing that will be held at the City of Fort Walton Beach Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 5: 30 p. m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7: 20 p. m. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK ddm  31 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 8, 2006 INTRODUCTION A Special Council Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Friday, September 8, 2006, at 12: 00 noon in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bill Patterson, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Wayne Pullen, and Mike Minich Absent: Jim Hartwell Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Mark Wiltsie, Human Resources Director CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order for the purpose of interviewing and ranking Finance Director candidates Lisa Absher and James Fulkerson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. FINANCE DIRECTOR INTERVIEWS Colin Baenzinger of Colin Baenzinger and Associates presented an overview of the interview process, with the goal being Council's understanding and familiarity of each candidate. Mr. Baenzinger explained at the end of the interviews, he would distribute straw ballots for Council's vote, and at that time, Council could discuss the candidates as they deemed necessary. The Mayor inquired whether he would be able to question the candidates. The City Attorney advised these are Council interviews and the Mayor will facilitate, not participate. However, it was noted since a councilmember was absent, the Mayor would have the opportunity to vote in the case of a 3- 3 tie. Dr. Pullen advised he attended the pre- screening interviews held by Staff on September 7 and was present for the interview of Ms. Absher, but had to leave and was not present during the entire interview of Mr. Fulkerson. LISA ABSHER INTERVIEW Mark Wiltsie, Human Resource Director, introduced Lisa Absher. Ms. Absher discussed her education and background, including a job as City Treasurer in Fruitland Park, Florida, and most recently the City of Marco Island. She explained her interest in working for the City of Fort Walton Beach, including lifestyle; the to opportunity work with the City Manager; and professional development. Ms. Absher stated she feels she could enhance the Finance Department and learn a lot as well.  Special Council Meeting 9- 08- 06 2 LISA ABSHER INTERVIEW ( CO NT) The Mayor explained to Ms. Absher that each Council member will be given the opportunity to ask two sets of questions. Mr. Holmes inquired about the period of time that Ms. Absher was self employed, and she replied that she has had two children in the past three years and worked from her home as a consultant on projects, which afforded her time with her small children. However, she stated she is ready to get back into the workforce and would like to do so with the City of Fort Walton Beach. Mr. Patterson questioned her ability to adjust to new council persons every two to four years, and her willingness to simplify the budget process to those not readily familiar with it. Ms. Absher informed she has had experience adjusting to new Councils in other cities she has worked and welcomes the opportunity. She also advised she has taught budgeting and accounting processes at the Florida League of Cities and has presented power point presentations to different organizations explaining the taxing process and building support when she was the Finance Director for the newly incorporated City of Marco Island. Mr. Campbell asked Ms. Absher how long she planned to stay with City if she were hired. She advised she would stay as long as the Council would like to have her. Mr. Tucker asked Ms. Absher what she would least like for him to know about her past career. Ms. Absher replied that in the past she has chosen to take jobs that have not turned out to be in her best interest, which could not look favorable on her until one knows all the facts. Dr. Pullen asked if she has read the Charter of the City of Fort Walton Beach, and how she views the position as a Charter Officer. Ms. Absher replied she has not read the Charter, and feels the Finance Director is part of a team that involves the Staff as well as the City Manager, and to defer to the judgment of the City Manager in any situation. Mr. Minich asked Ms. Absher to describe the relationship between the Finance Director and the City Manager in the City of Fort Walton Beach. Ms. Absher informed that without having the job, she could not really do so. Instead, Ms. Absher chose to rely on her experience as the City Treasurer of Fruitland Park, where she was at the will of the City Council and did not even report to the City Manager. However, she advised she worked on a daily basis with the City Manager and had a good working relationship with him. Mr. Minich further asked how she would handle a financial situation or disagreement between the City Manager and Finance Director. Ms. Absher responded she would discuss it with the City Manager, and if she still disagreed, she would inform Council of the discrepancy, as it was her responsibility under the Charter as City Treasurer to do so. Ms. Absher was asked if she worked better with men or women, and she informed she is successful with both of them. although she has not had as much experience working with a woman as City Manager.  9- 08- 06 33 Special Council Meeting LISA ABSHER INTERVIEW (CONT) Mr. Campbell questioned if she was hired, how long would it take for her to begin work. Ms. Absher responded she could not give a definite answer until the position is offered to her and a negotiated, to look at the real estate in the area, and to give her husband salary time to look for prospective employment. . Mr.Patterson asked what is Ms. Absher's management style, and how long would she take to make changes or improvements in the daily operation of the Finance Department. She responded she considers her management style to be by consensus, and that a career rule she follows is that six months to a year is ample time to get a feel of an organization before she would consider any changes. Mr. Holmes asked how she would handle the situation if Council disagreed with her on an issue. Ms. Absher advised she would give the Council several choices and then her recommendation, and would abide by whether Council accepted her recommendation or went in another direction. Ms. Absher was asked whether she has seen anything in her short time here that she would change or do in a better way. She responded she does not have enough details on anything specific, but she has asked the City Manager if there are any particular projects that need looking into, and the issue of improving fixed assets was mentioned. Dr. Pullen asked whether Ms. Absher has ever been associated with a military community such as Fort Walton Beach. She replied herfamily has a military background and feels she would fit in just fine. Mr. Tucker expressed his personal feeling that the city, county, state, and country are going will have through some tough times financially, and whoever is chosen as Finance Director major decisions to make regarding the City. The Mayor asked Ms. Absher if she had any closing comments she would like to make. is She thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to interview, and that she enthusiastic and excited about working for the City of Fort Walton Beach. Ms. Absher' s interview was completed at 12: 50 p. m. RECESS The meeting recessed at 12: 50 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 1 : 05 p. m. JAMES FULKERSON INTERVIEW Mr. Wiltsie introduced James Fulkerson. the City Mr. Fulkerson discussed his education and background, including employment with rose to of Owensboro, Kentucky, since 1982, where he started as a cost accountant and been the of Finance Director in September of 1998. Mr. Fulkerson stated he has position there for 24 years and is looking for a new challenge.  Special Council Meeting 9- 08- 06 4 JAMES FULKERSON INTERVIEW ( CO NT) The Mayor explained to Mr. Fulkerson that each Council member will be given the opportunity to ask two sets of questions. Mr. Minich inquired of Mr. Fulkerson his long- range careerplans. Mr. Fulkerson replied he is active in the GFOA and attends many educational meetings, and he would like to continue to do so. When asked how long he would stay with the City if hired as Finance Director, Mr. Fulkerson replied he would like to retire within 10 years. Dr. Pullen asked if he has read the Charter of the City of Fort Walton Beach, and how he views the position as a Charter Officer. Mr. Fulkerson replied he has not read the Charter, and views the position as a Charter Officer a great responsibility to both the Council and the citizens. When questioned by Mr. Tucker whether Owensboro is a full-service city, Mr. Fulkerson responded that it was. Mr. Campbell commented on the City of Owensboro receiving the Award of Excellence for 27 years, and that Mr. Fulkerson was on staff for 24 of those years. He asked Mr. Fulkerson what he thought was his greatest achievement during those 24 years, and his there and has response was that the City won the GFOA Award for budgeting his first year received it every year since. As with Ms. Absher, Mr. Patterson questioned Mr. Fulkerson' s ability to adjust to new council persons every two to four years, and his willingness to simplify the budget process to those not readily familiar with it. Mr. Fulkerson responded he has never had a problem adjusting to new Councils; in fact,