Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-08-06 special minutes — reading text

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 2006, at 12: 00 noon in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the 8, 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. I"'""' 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 opportunity to 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. 32 Special Council Meeting 9- 08- 06 LISA ABSHER INTERVIEW (CO NT) The Mayor explained to Ms. Absher that each Council member will be to ask two sets of given the opportunity 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 J"""""",., stated she is ready to get back into the workforce and would like to do so with the I, Fort Walton Beach. City of I 1 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 all the facts. knows Dr. Pullen asked if she has read the Charter of the City of Fort Walton Beach, and views the position as a Charter Officer. how she Ms. Absher replied she has not read the and feels the Finance Director is Charter, part of a team that involves the Staff as well as the Manager, and to defer to the judgment of the City Manager in City any situation. Mr. Minich asked Ms. Absher to describe the relationship between the Finance the City Manager in the Director and 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 Council and did not even report to the City Manager. However, she advised she worked City a daily basis with the on City Manager and had a good working relationship with him. Mr. Minich further asked how she would handle a financial situation or disagreement s~~~ 1~~~~ h:~ ~~~:;~;;:~~~~~~~ t~~ EOt~~~~ ~~~~ I I~:~: n~:~~:~~: Ms. Absher was asked if she worked better with men or women, and she successful with both of them, informed she is although she has not had as much experience woman as City Manager. working with a  Special Council Meeting 33 9- 08- 06 LISA ABSHER INTERVIEW ( CONT) Mr. Campbell questioned if she was hired, how long would it take for her to Ms. Absher responded she could not begin work. give a definite answer until the position is offered to her and a salary negotiated, to look at the real estate in the area, and to give her husband time to look for prospective employment. ' I"'" 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 that need looking into, and the issue of projects improving fixed assets was mentioned.