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Home My WebLink About04-09-97 WS MINUTES OF THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION WORK SESSION HELD APRIL 9, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the work session to order at 6:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. The roll was called and a quorum was determined to be present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Anderson, (arrived at 6:18 p.m.), Glass, Howell and Parker. Also present were City Attorney Rosenthal, Labor Attorney Allen, Personnel Director Psaledakis, City Manager Candidate Broughton and Deputy Clerk Green. ABSENT: None. DISCUSSION RE: THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER. Mayor Vandergrift explained the reason for this meeting was to give new Commissioners Howell and Parker an opportunity to ask City Manager Candidate Broughton questions in order to better acquaint themselves with him. Those questions were as follows, with Mr. Broughton's responses underlined: Commissioner Howell: . Asked Mr. Broughton why he had not sent a contract for Commission's review upon hearing the City of Ocoee was interested in negotiating with him. City Manager Candidate Broue:hton said he followed the iudgment of his attorney. Commissioner Parker: . Asked what his attitude would be toward present staff if he were hired. Mr. Broue:hton said he has trust in the staff that is in place until by their actions give him a reason to distrust them. Commissioner Glass: . Was interested in what Mr. Broughton had to say of his inclusion of being able to fire department heads as he saw fit. Mr. Broughton said that upon researching ordinances and statutes. it was common for the City Manager to have the authority to hire and fire at his own discretion. Commissioner Anderson: . Upon reviewing Mr. Broughton's contract, noticed two items which concerned him. The items were: 1) not wanting to list certain conventions or organizations, and 2) use of the term "Best of my ability." Mr. Broue:hton's response: 1. Mr. Allen's document had included specific organizations and he felt that over time they could change and should not be in the document. 2. Travel and training conventions are limited by budget and personnel regulations. City Commission Work Session April 9, 1997 3. "Best of my ability" language; if a professional is hired to manage and lead an organization. the person would be expected to do their iob to the best oftheir ability. Mayor Vandere:rift: . Quoted a passage from Mr. Broughton's resume about integrity in city government and asked him to elaborate. Mr. Broughton said he would operate in a fashion that would be a great benefit to this community. always. Commissioner Howell: . Asked why he felt he should be entitled to 22 days leave time before he even started the job. Mr. Broue:hton replied that Commission should take into consideration his experience in government. and the value he could bring to the City. He felt he should not have to start as a regular employee would. with no experience whatsoever. and have to wait a year before receiving his 22days. . Asked if Commission were to agree to his 22 days leave time, shouldn't those who have been here running the City receive the same? Mr. Broue:hton said no. because the system adopted by the City works. He felt. however. that if he were hired. would look to change the system for those in management. Commissioner Howell said that, regardless of past experience, he did not believe anyone was entitled to 22 days before starting a job. Commissioner Parker: . Said the present City Manager had been in the City a long time and has ties to the community, and asked what he would do to gain ties to the community as the previous city manager had. Mr. Broughton said he would attend all civic organizations and speaking engagements: has three children involved in school activities and likes to participate as a family. Another thing is to hold listening sessions. twice a year. where citizens could ask senior staff members questions; and they could address their needs. Commissioner Glass: . Quoting a letter from Nick Pagano, a citizen, asked; "if he was so good, why hadn't he been hired yet"? Mr. Broue:hton replied that some reasons included having good chemistry with council; whether he wanted to live in the town: and whether council felt his way of running a city met with the needs ofthe community. Mayor Vandergrift: . Asked Mr. Broughton why he left the last City he managed. Mr. Broue:hton replied that he had separated involuntarily. The city had an election where all incumbents lost. There was a new council that decided to make a change and move in a different direction. Commissioner Anderson: . Asked why he would want to come to a city where the Commission has voted 3-2 in favor of hiring a new manager. Mr. Broughton said he felt this City would be good to raise his family and would be good for him. professionally. 2 City Commission Work Session April 9, 1997 . Asked when his last day of employment was as City Manager. Mr. Broue:hton replied September 5. 1995. . Asked why he thought Commission should consider hiring someone who had not been a City Manager since September of 1995. Mr. Broughton said because he is skilled. competent and hard working. Mayor Vandergrift: . Asked how close his management style compared to the TQM (Total Quality Management) style that everybody seemed to be wanting to go to. Mr. Broue:hton said making an organization as effective as possible is simply done by utilizing your greatest resource: and that is your staff. Commissioner Howell: . Said the reason the current City Manager was not being retained was because he could not get along with the Mayor. Asked what he would do differently to get along with the Mayor and others. Mr. Broue:hton replied that. as for getting along with the Mayor and Commissioners. he would treat them with respect. trust and communication. . Asked why the City should pay for the first four months of housing. Mr. Broue:hton said his children needed to finish school. . Said $4000 for moving expenses seemed reasonable; but that his estimate of $5,600 seemed a little high. Mr. Broughton said the lowest estimate he had received was $5.600. Any difference would be used to visit his family since they would not be moving with him right away. . Asked that Mr. Broughton explain what he meant by "the right to make passive investments; participating in charitable services and trade and professional organizations." Mr. Broughton responded: 1. Passive Investment is his ability to purchase stocks and mutual funds 2. Charitable organizations and professional organizations means he is allowed to participate in community organization like the Boy Scouts or the United Way etc. RECESS -7:18 p.m. -7:40 p.m. Commissioner Howell: . Asked how he would handle not being able to work with anyone Commissioner. Mr. Brouehton replied that it would not be for lack of trying on his part. because everyone would be provided with the same information. . Asked if he had a chance to research the City of Ocoee. Mr. Broughton said he had not as of yet. but had toured the town with some members from staff. Commissioner Anderson: . Asked how many interviews he had had with other cities. Mr. Broue:hton replied. several. . Asked for reason why he wouldn't give a number. Mr. Brouehton replied that it was his business. 3 City Commission Work Session April 9, 1997 . Asked if he would still be willing to work for the City if the City changed to a Strong Mayor Form of Government. Mr. Broue:hton replied that he would not. . Asked if people perceived him as being arrogant. Mr. Broughton said he could not answer that. . Asked about the 45 minute recess that had been taken the night before so he could ask his attorney four questions. Why 45 minutes for four questions? Mr. Broue:hton said because he had spoken to his attorney about several different issues. DIRECTIONS TO STAFF. After lengthy discussion, Commission reached consensus to continue negotiating with City Manager Candidate Broughton. ADJOURNMENT The Work Session adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee 'In.g/u'fJ~ ,MlldJ Marian Green, Deputy City Clerk , 1 '. --'. (' . ~ ~ 'r7'- ./-~. / tf V_ .,) . /(i,-\"t-{t-' .... S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor I 4