Okaloosa County BOCC — November 4, 2012 — Colin Baenziger — reading text

costs. The effort has also lead to an increased level of collaboration within the government and in sharing services. -6- Christopher Morrill The teams will make a presentation to the Council on November 30th where they will report their progress. When asked about mistakes, Mr. Morrill spoke of an area just outside of downtown Savannah that was to be developed as a public park and for some other uses. It was a great project that would have had a very positive impact on the neighborhoods in the area. However, the City did not do the leg work upfront to keep the neighborhoods apprised of the nature of the project nor the benefits that would result from the project. As a result, the residents fought the project and it was cancelled. He learned the importance of involving the community early on in a project so they are informed, supportive and can provide input to make the project better. The City missed an opportunity to develop a great area because it assumed the community would support it. The central lesson was, “Do not assume the community members will see and embrace the vision of a project if you do not spend the time educating them.” As the City has changed to Budgeting for Outcomes, it has provided a new way of measuring the performance of the organization. They are able to compare their outcome with other cities across America. Funding is provided to those services that have had clear outcomes of meeting priorities. Mr. Morrill still monitors the individual performance of each employee. At the year’s beginning, he discusses their strengths and weaknesses with them and makes a plan to accomplish their goals for the year. Their progress is checked periodically and another formal meeting is conducted at midyear. When asked about terminating employment, Mr. Morrill noted he has terminated the employment of several employees during his career. He tries to work with those who have performance issues through coaching and mentoring. Sometimes no improvements can be made. The person is simply in the wrong job from the point of view of skills or personality. It is hard to let people go under these circumstances but it has to be done. Ideally you can find a position in the organization that does suit the individual but that is not always a possibility. Those employees who misuse their privileges or break the law are very easy to let go. On one occasion he had to fire an individual in the parks department who was misusing public funds. Mr. Morrill sees the challenges facing the next Roanoke City Manager as:  Encouraging economic development that is a good fit with the community;  Finding ways to help the poor climb out of poverty rate;  Working with the school board to improve the City’s schools;  Working with the community to improve the neighborhoods; and  Addressing code enforcement issues. If given the opportunity to serve as the next Roanoke City Manager, Mr. Morrill would spend his first six months doing the following:  Examining City’s issues;  Learning the history of the City and its neighborhoods;  Listening to the Council Members’ goals and vision; -7- Christopher Morrill  Familiarizing himself with staff’s strengths and weaknesses; and  Assessing the City’s financial position. Getting a proposed budget together quickly for the 2010 – 2011 fiscal year will be a priority. Mr. Morrill feels the new manager must be out in the community and transparent if he/she is to earn the trust of the community. When things are wrong, one must acknowledge that. They also need to be fixed without, to the extent possible, assigning blame. Citizens respect honesty. Also, good citizen engagement helps the residents feel they have a voice in the community. Mr. Morrill mentioned a citizens’ academy that Savannah offered. It was an eight week course that focused on the different departments of the city government. He felt after this program the citizens had a better understanding and respect for the city government. They could see all the work that went into maintaining the City and the service the staff rendered in their behalf. Mr. Morrill has a good relationship with the media. In his current position as Assistant City Manager, he is not in the media much. However, when needed, he has stepped in for the City Manager. He has worked with both television and print. He understands the media play an important role. He is honest and straightforward with his answers. In his leisure time, Mr. Morrill enjoys being with his family, reading, biking, hiking and swimming. On occasion he has been a judge at swim meets. Reason for Wanting to Leave Current Position: Mr. Morrill is happy where he is but would like the opportunity to become a City Manager. He is in the peak years of his career and is ready to lead an organization. He has had the opportunity to work for and be mentored by an outstanding City Manager. He has also participated in the rebirth of Savannah. He wants to put what he has learned into practice in Roanoke. He just feels it is a great community, a community that has not realized its potential and a community he wants to live and work in. Most Recent Base Salary $150,000 base salary Adjectives or phrases Mr. Morrill used to describe himself:  Enjoys working with people,  Visionary,  Progressive,  Good sense of humor,  Values relationships, and  Builds consensus. -8- Christopher Morrill Interviewer’s Impressions Energetic, experienced, competent, congenial, and straightforward. Intelligent and creative with a good sense of humor. Has an easy laugh and ready to be a City Manager. Interviewed by: Tiffany Gremmert Colin Baenziger & Associates -9- Christopher Morrill Background Checks -10-  Background Check Summary for Christopher P. Morrill Criminal Records Checks: Nationwide Criminal Records Search No Records Found County Chatham County, GA No Records Found Durham County, NC No Records Found State Georgia No Records Found North Carolina No Records Found Civil Records Checks: County Chatham County, GA No Records Found Durham County, NC No Records Found Federal Georgia No Records Found North Carolina No Records Found Motor Vehicle Georgia No Records Found Credit Excellent Bankruptcy No Records Found Education Confirmed Employment Confirmed -11- Christopher Morrill Reference Notes -12-  Reference Notes Christopher Morrill Michael Brown, City Manager, City of Savannah, GA, (912) 658-3523 Mr. Brown hired Mr. Morrill in 1988. He recognized his strong skill set and wanted him to be a part of his management team. When Mr. Morrill went overseas to perform international services, Mr. Brown thought so highly of him that he held positions open for him. He simply wanted him back and on his team. Mr. Morrill is a very skilled manager and a remarkable person. He combines precise analytical skills with an upbeat and optimistic personality. He is diplomatic with those he serves and considerate to their wants and needs. Mr. Morrill’s background makes him a strong candidate. He was in the Peace Corp for two years in Ukraine. He also spent time in Northern Ireland, Peru, and South Africa with the Kellogg National Leadership Program. He wrote a local government finance law for South Africa cities and modeled if after what local governments do in the United States. Mr. Morrill has led many redevelopment projects in Savannah. The redevelopment of Ellis Square is a recent one and involved redeveloping one of Savannah’s squares that was first established in the 1700’s. At some point, the square had been turned into a parking lot. Mr. Morrill noted that the lease was expiring and suggested the City redevelop the area as community square. He took the lead on the project and coordinated with developers and city groups. He also oversaw the financing of the project. The new community square is a huge success and is surrounded by shops and restaurants, and includes an underground parking structure. Another project Mr. Morrill headed was Savannah River Landing, a fifty-four acre undeveloped tract adjacent to the historic downtown. Mr. Morrill coordinated with the developers to include an expansion of the river walk, retail stores, two hotels, single family homes, restaurants, and office buildings. He was the manager of the public part of the project. He forecast the cost of the necessary infrastructure, worked with the developers, rallied the support of the County and schools, and also sold the tax allocation district proposal to the voters. The project is underway and is much anticipated by the community. Mr. Morrill listens well and is able to identify the essence of what someone is trying to say. He is a good communicator. He also is empathetic and patient. Often the City Council prefers to speak with him rather than the City Manager. He is easier to talk to and knows how to hold his ground. He is a good public speaker. He took a private sector speaker training course that monitored, criticized and improved his speaking skills. He is comfortable presenting. Mr. Brown, as the City Manager, spends most of his time working with the Council to keep their interests on track. They are often difficult and demanding. He is not able to do much of what he used to do as City Manager. The Metro Police Department also demands much of his time and attention. As a result, he has turned over much of the day-to-day management of the City to Mr. Morrill. That includes projects, budgeting, pension plan changes, and policy initiatives. Although, Mr. Morrill has not officially held the title of City Manager, in reality he has had more -13-  Reference Notes Christopher Morrill experience in urban city management than some City Managers in other cities. He has dealt with a high poverty rate, a large area of public housing, and many inner city problems. Mr. Morrill is an ICMA (International City/County Management Association) Credentialed Manager. Through the ICMA he worked with an area in Indonesia to develop their tourism and the historical preservation of the Sultan’s Water Palace Complex. This effort was to preserve and restore 50 acres of historic land. He helped the City get grant funding to restore the area. He also helped them write the first historical preservation ordinance. Along with the restoration of the Water Palace, a beautiful shopping corridor was created. Working with the largely Muslim country of Indonesia has educated Mr. Morrill. He was able to associate with the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia and experience governmental processes in another country. Again, even though Mr. Morrill does not hold the official title of City Manager, he has the experience and skill set to take this position. Mr. Brown highly recommended him although it would be a huge loss to him personally and to Savannah to have Mr. Morrill leave. Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:  Strong family man,  Diplomatic,  Considerate,