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

he considers it a pleasure meeting and working with new people and hearing new ideas. He advised he has always strived to present the budgets in the most user-friendly method as possible, and he would continue to strive to do that. Mr. Holmes inquired what difficulties, if any, he anticipated leaving a system used for 25 it would be a years and relearning a new city and new methods. Mr. Fulkerson responded challenge, and cited differences in millage rates and state statutes, among others. In response to Mr. Patterson' s questions on his management style and how long it would take him to make changes or improvements in the daily operations of the Finance Department, Mr. Fulkerson stated a key point to his style of management is customer service, and that there is a good way and a bad way to make changes; the first thing he would do is learn about the system and the people here before making changes. Mr. Campbell asked Mr. Fulkerson to describe a situation where he had to build a team to solve a problem. He responded that in Owensboro, he built a whole new Finance the Department after the swift departure of his predecessor. Mr. Fulkerson also discussed team that was in put placethat worked out an annexation incentive plan and enlarged the City of Owensboro by 10%. of Upon questioning, Mr. Fulkerson advised that if hired, he would like to give the City Owensboro 4 to 6 weeks notice before beginning work for the City of Fort Walton Beach.  9- 08- 06 35 Special Council Meeting JAMES FULKERSON INTERVIEW ( CO NT) Upon questioning by Dr. Pullen regarding working with a military community, Mr. Fulkerson stated that would not be a problem, and noted that Kentucky has several large military facilities as well. Mr. Minich asked Mr. Fulkerson to describe the relationship between the Finance Director and the City Manager. Mr. Fulkerson stated he sees the relationship as a key part of the team. Mr. Minich also inquired how he would handle a financial situation or disagreement with the City Manager, and Mr. Fulkerson informed he would follow the order of the City Manager. The Mayor asked Mr. Fulkerson if he had any closing comments he would like to make. He thanked Council for the opportunity to interview, and stated he feels he has the skills and experience to do a very good job for the City. Mr. Fulkerson' s interview was completed at 1 : 25 p. m. VOTING PROCEDURES Mr. Baenzinger distributed straw ballots to each Council member to fill out, and were returned to the City Clerk, who read the results as follows: Mr. Holmes, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Tucker, and Dr.Pullen voted for Lisa Absher; Mr. Campbell and Mr. Minich voted for James Fulkerson, with Mr. Hartwell absent. Mr. Baenzinger asked Council how they wanted to proceed. Consensus was to have a formal motion and open the floor to discussion of the candidates. Dr. Pullen moved to nominate Lisa Absher to the position of Finance Director. Mr. Tucker seconded motion. Council discussed what they felt were the positive points for each candidate, as well as their concerns. Positive points regarding Ms. Absher included a dynamic personality; flexibility; familiarity with Florida laws and procedures; confidence; and is articulate. of Concerns regarding Ms. Absher included a civil rights lawsuit filed against the City Alachua including its City Manager; lack of longevity in previous employment and that she be this position stepping stone to further her career; and possible pre- may using as a conceived notions regarding ex- military supervisors. Mr. Baenzinger advised if the lawsuit is not already settled, it is very close to being settled. Positive points regarding Mr. Fulkerson included intelligence, experience, and longevity with the City of Owensboro. Concerns regarding Mr. Fulkerson included a lack of motivation; possible unwillingness to try new ideas; and planned retirement in the next-few years.  Special Council Meeting 9- 08- 06 6 VOTING PROCEDURES ( CONT1 Council concurred that both candidates had a lot of strengths and are well qualified, and either one would do a fine job as Finance Director. Discussion ensued regarding a possible clause in a contract if Ms. Absher is hired, stating she would have to stay employed by the City for a certain amount of time. The City Manager advised that an individual cannot be forced to stay at a job if they plan to move on, and that could not be placed in a contract. However, Mr. Baenzinger noted that a provision could be included to the effect that any moving expenses would have to be refunded to the City by Ms. Absher if she does not stay employed for a certain amount of time. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to nominate Lisa Absher to the position of Finance Director and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Holmes, Patterson, Tucker, and Pullen in favor and Campbell and Minich opposed ( Hartwell absent). Mr. Baenzinger advised he would contact Ms. Absher and inform her of Council's decision, and he would emphasize to her the importance of staying for at least 3 to 5 years at this point in her career, to reflect well on her resume. SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE Mr. Minich moved to authorize the City Manager or designee to negotiate a salary and benefits package with the top ranked candidate, subject to final Council approval. Mr. Tucker seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). The City Manager advised Council the salary range being considered is between $ 70- 100, 000 a year. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1 : 45 p. m. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK Ive  37 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP IVEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 12, 2006 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, September 12, 2006, at 5: 30 p. m. wth the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bill Patterson, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, and Mike Minich Absent: Jim Hartwell Also Present:Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Finance Director (Position vacant); Toni Craig, City Attomey; and Department Directors CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. BOARDS/ COMMITTEES Discussion regarding attendances, excused/ unexcused absences, and accounting periods for absences for City Boards and Committees; possible reduction of number of members of the Waters Edge Ad Hoc Committee. Dr. Pullen mentioned the difficulty in recruiting people to volunteer for the boards and committees, the problem with absences and then removal because of absences. He mentioned at this time, except for the Code Enforcement Board, there is no excused absence and proposed that Council authorize the Boards and Committees to have excused absences, that Council establish a limit on the number of excused absences, then the Boards and Committees can put it in their Rules of Procedure. He suggested Council request the City Attomey to prepare an ordinance to allow excused absences, and still be limited to the three unexcused absences. Discussion included views on the difficulty in getting individuals to serve on the Boards/ Committees; concem there would be a person who would miss a number of meetings in a year with excused and unexcused absences; whether or not the Boards/ Committees should establish their own excused absences or whether Council should establish standardized excused absences and standardized procedures for those not mandated by State Law; whether or not the members should call the Chairman or the City Clerk if they are unable to attend a meeting; concem for the individuals attending the meetings and asking the Boards to take action on something and then there is no quorum; and whether or not a decrease in membership would help obtain a quorum. Dr. Pullen mentioned that Council has decreased membership on different Boards and the Water's He Edge Committee has asked their membership be decreased because they cannot get a quorum. also mentioned that each Board be a little more responsibility as they have their meetings and given Council never hears what they are talking about. 38 Council Workshop 9- 12- 06 BOARDS/ COMMITTEES cont. Mr. Minich commented if the Boards have a recommendation then Council receives the backup data on any decision. He noted the Boards can come before Council to represent their views and staff always presents the Boards recommendations. Retuming to the discussion on absences, Dr. Pullen suggested that Council establish an Ordinance to allow "x" number of excused absences per year, then the Board can set up their rules on the excused absence. The City Attomey noted there are two choices: either the Board has the autonomy to make the decision on their own, or Council defines the way in which the Board handles the issue. She said if Council allows the Board to have the autonomy to make the decision, then they would do that through their Rules. She said the first decision is whether or not any of the five issues would be handled by Council directly and establish a uniform policy for all the Boards, or whether to allow the Board the autonomy to do it for themselves. She said currently Council is discussing attendance and absences, and the quorum, and there are several ways to address it. She said Council can allow them to reduce how they count their quorum, if it is established for each one of the Board in the Code or for the Boards Council feels there is a problem. She said Council can reduce the number of members; it may not help with the quorum if there are members not participating. She noted the attendance, if there is an excused absence, the only thing that will help in the long run is that person will not be removed from the Board because they had five absences in one year. She said there are a lot of issues and each Board has its own character and by appointment of new members it frequently changes. She said the issues are complicated and there is a request and recommendation by the Water's Edge Ad- Hoc to reduce its number and Council has already reduced the Beautification Committee and Historic Sites in size. She mentioned each Board may see the definition of excused or unexcused absence differently. The City Clerk clarified that Historic Sites has seven members and has not been reduced, the Beautification has been reduced to five members, and the Waters Edge Ad- Hoc has