Loading...
CCMtg05-19-09SMMin LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION T Longwood City Commission Chambers ' 175 West Warren Avenue Longwood, Florida SPECIAL N[EETING MINU~rEs May 19, 2009 6:30 P.M. • Present: Mayor H.G. "Butch" Bundy Deputy Mayor John C. Maing;ot Commissioner Joe Durso Commissioner Mike Holt Commissioner Brian Sackett Donovan A. Roper, Acting City Attorney (arrived at 6:54 p.m.) Tom Jackson, Acting City Administrator Linda F. Goff, Recording Secretary ~ Dawn Jackson, Personnel Manager Commander Russ Cohen, Interim Director of Community Services Craig Dunn, Computer Services Manager Tom Smith, Division Manager of Streets/Fleets David Dowda, Interim Chief o:f Police: Don Castner, Fire Marshal Absent: Sarah M. Mirus, City Clerk (E•xcused) 1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Bundy called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. CLOSING STATEMENT MADE BY THE CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR. A. KATRINA POWELL (6:30 P.M.) Ms. Powell said 107 days ago she came to Longwood under the premise of helping out a friend of fifteen years, Mr. Tom Jackson,. by becoming the Interim Finance Director for 120 days while he was the Acting City Administrator. She stated he wanted someone he could trust and that he knew would do what was needed to be done. During the first nine days of her sentence, she was approached by the employees that work with her asking her if she was going to apply for the City Administrator position. She told them she wanted to make sure she would be a good fit before she applied. She declared that she was extremely exci ked about the opportunity being presented by the City Commission and stated that together, and by together she means the City Commission, the .residents, ~~nd the employees, can achieve great things. She said she looked forward to working with the employees to bring CC OS-19-0'x/327 about change, if needed, and to making sure everyone is treated fairly and with respect. She said the City has a great group of employees that work here and she feels extremely fortunate to have an opportunity to work with them. `-J She thanked her fiance for being there for her over the past two years. She thanked the City Commission and the employees for their belief in her and for their support. She affirmed she is the best candidate because she wanted this job and not any others and she has the passion and burning desire to work for the City of Longwood. 3. RANK THE CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR. Mayor Bundy said they were down to one candidate, so there was no need for ranking. He said at the City Commission Meeting last evening they proposed a dollar amount that was the only item left on the contract that had not been affixed. Mayor Bundy inquired if Ms. Powell had reviewed the contract and the terms and was willing to accept the contract as presented. Ms. Powell responded in the affirmative. 4. TAKE SOME ACTION-WITH REGARD TO THE HIRING OF A ' PERMANENT CITY ADMINISTRATOR, OR OTHERWISE. Commissioner Holt inquired.if they needed to wait for the City Attorney for the i motion. Mayor Bundy said he spoke with Mr. Roper and he said they did not, but if the Commission would like; they could take a recess. Commissioner Durso said he would like to take a recess to make sure there were no legal issues with this.. The Commission recessed at 6;:34 p.m. and reconvened at 6:54 p.m. Mr. Roper arrived at this point in the meeting. Mayor Bundy explained to Mr. Roper they have had the closing statement by Ms. Powell. They ranked the candidate and Ms. Powell said she had read the contract and agreed to the terms. Commissioner Holt moved to approve Ms. Katrina Powell for the position of City Administrator. Seconded by Commissioner Durso. Commissioner Sackett thanked Ms. Powell for giving him the time to meet with I her for an hour and again this afternoon. He said he enjoyed the interaction of the ~ points he brought up. He stated he strongly liked. her answers and her interest and enthusiasm for coming on board with the City as the City Administrator. He said CC OS-19-09/328 his question still remains though if they followed the Charter correctly.. He stated he unfortunately will have to vote no for her because he does not feel they followed the. Charter as he interprets it to be. However, he enthusiastically liked what. he heard this afternoon and was impressed with what he heard. Deputy Mayor Maingot also thanked NIs. Powell for spending two and a half hours with him. He said he very much appreciated the frankness with which their discussion was held. He stated he liked 'the fire that appears to be within,her to accomplish things in the City. He did sa.y to her that he would not be voting to approve her, but he will in no way stanc! in her way or obstruct her achievements in the City. He declared he would standby her and support everything she will do that is a benefit for the people of Longwood. He said, like Commissioner Sackett, he has expressed his question as to whei;her they followed. the Charter or violated the Charter in how they proceeded. He stated he would like to say publicly that he supports her in every way under most circumstances. He wished her well and a fruitful association with the City of Longwood. Motion carried by a three/two roll call vote with Deputy Mayor Maingot and Commissioner Sackett voting nay. Mayor Bundy welcomed Ms. Powell. He requested the City Attorney address the issue of whether the Charter was followed or violated. Mr. Roper said he has addressed this on several occasions and at no time does he feel the City Charter had been violated, nor have any ordinances, code, or resolutions been violated. He stated from the standpoint of qualifications, the City Charter and the 1999 Ordinance have been considered and met. Mayor Bundy suggested they make the contract effective June 1St and this will coordinate with Mr. Jackson's appointment. Mr. Jackson requested his last official day be May 30th. He said there was a Commission Meeting June 1St and this would forward the opportunity for the new City Administrator to sit in on that Meeting. Commissioner Sackett moved to have the contract be in effect May 26, 2009. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Maingot and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. Mayor Bundy said it has been a process and said Ms. Powell has been under constant interview over the past 107 days. He stated she took a position. in the Finance Department that was problemal;ic and has come through for the City. He said it was evident by the attendance to~ught.that she has won a great deal of respect from the City employees. CC O5-19-09/329 5. ADJOURN. Mayor Bundy adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. ~I Har ood G. Bundy, Mayor Linda F. Goff, C C, Recor Secretary ATTEST: Sarah M. Mirus, MMC, MBA City Clerk CC OS-19-09/330