Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 10-26-2011-special--city attorney interviews — reading text

i Ll! m #"" 4 Final Minutes — City of Fort Walton Beach Special Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach Wednesday, October 26, 2011 6: 00 PM 107 Mnad, Shr, Parkway Fort Walton Beach, 11 32548 1. CALL TO ORDER 6: 00 PM Meeting was called to order on October 26, 2011 at Council Chamber, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mike Anderson Mayor Present Bobby Griggs Council Seat 1 Present Joyce gossom Council Seat 2 Present Dennis Reeves Council Seat 3 Present Trey Goodwin Council Seat 4 Present Bobby Nabors Council Seat 5 Present Bull Rigdon Council Seat 6 Present Dick Rynearson Council Seat 7 Present 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. PRESENTATION The Mayor informed the purpose of the meeting is for Council to determine whether to hire an in -house part-time attorney. If Council decides not to hire an in -house part- time attorney, the current attorney will continue. The two candidates present this evening are Suzanne Brownless and William Wells. Candidate Suzanne Brownless Suzanne Brownless of Tallahassee referred to her cover letter, resume, and application and stated she can offer the City her experience of 31 years working for various municipalities; community service; and her ability to work' as a team' with City Council and Staff. Ms. Brownless advised she has been under contract to the City continuously for the last 13 years to provide legal services pertaining to franchise agreements and renewals; drafting ordinances, resolutions and notices implementing the Communications Services Tax Law of 2000; provided analyses on various issues; and negotiated successful resolutions regarding overpayments and citizen protests. Page I Printed 1012812011 Ca, Cauuc7 o( Fort Walton Beach 172 Special Meeting Minutes October 26, 2011 Ms. Brownless stated she has enjoyed working with the city staff and is looking forward to expanding the productive relationship. Council questioned Ms. Brownless on such issues as balancing this position with her other demands; the geographical difference between Tallahassee and Fort Walton Beach; a proposed work schedule; and a substitute if for some reason she could not attend a meeting Ms. Brownless responded she has studied the Citys monthly meeting schedules and she is flexible and can schedule other work around the City's meetings, and she is always available by phone or e -mail. She continued she has made arrangements for staying in Fort Walton Beach and would be here on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of Council weeks and with her flexible schedule would be available if a special meeting was called. Ms. Brownless advised she has discussed this schedule with the City Manager who found it acceptable, and that she would provide, at her own cost, a certified attorney to fill in for her if for some reason she could not be present at a meeting. Council thanked Ms. Brownless for her time Candidate William Wells Mr. William Wells of Pensacola discussed his background and work experience including 25 years with the City of Pensacola as Assistant City Attorney and four years as City Attorney, as well as working with the Fscambia County Sheriffs Office. Mr. Wells stated he is familiar with a full range of Florida municipal and local government law, including labor and employment, collective bargaining, Community Redevelopment Agency, and code enforcement issues. Mr. Wells advised he currently works with the law firm Allen, Norton and Blue on a part- time basis. Mr. Wells discussed his perspective of the job of city attorney, that there are three clients - t-he council, manager, and department heads, that the core of the job is broad and is a full time responsibility. Mr. Wells advised Council to consider some things when hiring an attorney, including a city attorney who can relate to other city attorneys, the participation in meetings should not be too active, and to have a city attorney with good communication and speaks in terms that can be understood. Mr. Wells discussed the salary range offered and stated he would work at the low end of the range and would request funding to attend seminars and conferences and for legal expertise in the field of real estate as he has not dealt with those issues in the past. Council questioned Mr. Wells on a proposed work schedule and whether it would conflict on his current work; and what steps would be taken for a substitute if for some reason he could not attend a meeting. Mr. Wells advised the position of City Attorney would be his priority and would not conflict with his position at his current firm. He advised he would like to have some dialogue with Council or the City Manager regarding having funding in reserve for a substitute attorney in the rare event he could not be present. 11) ucil fFOn WaGon B.¢ ch Paget Pnw, d10 /28/ 70/]  173 Minutes October 26, 2011 Special Meeting Mr. Wells stated he enjoys local government and this position would fit his lifestyle. Council thanked Mr. Wells for his time. 4. ACTION ITEMS Discussion by Mayor /Council The Mayor explained that it is up to Council to determine if they want to hire an in- house, part- time attorney; if not, the current attorney will continue. He stated Council can select one of the attorneys that interviewed this evening, interview more applicants, or keep the status quo. Council expressed concern that the two attorneys interviewed were not local; one was from Tallahassee and the other from Pensacola. Discussion included soliciting the job in the local paper and the Okaloosa/ Walton Bar Association publication, narrowing the job description, and to define the hours, days, and rate of pay. Dr. gossom moved to waive Roberts Rules of Order for this discussion. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously. Further discussion included whether hiring an in- house, part -time attorney would be cost effective to the City, and that the City Manager interview applicants individually and give his insight to Council. The City Manager stated this was an idea he had and after listening to Council stated he needs to develop this position as a department of the City with a budget and to readvertise with specific information such as salary, budget, time to be allocated, etc. Council confirmed there is no rush for this and the City Manager suggested the process be suspended at this time to enable him to gather more information. The motion to suspend the search for an in- house, part -time City Attorney and to direct the City Manager to compile and bring back information and work with the current Council on developing a more attractive concept carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Trey Goodwin, Council Seat 4 SECONDED: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson 5. ADJOURNMENT: 7: 28 pm Approved: n1 7 Gam ( ". Mayor: / `^^ - C CGQ4 Atte t 7 /. C City Clerk Page 3 Printed [ 0128/' 011 Gry C of Port Walmn 8 eac6