Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager Interviews MINUTES OF WORKSHOP DANIA BEACH CITY COMMISSION COPY MANAGER INTERVIEWS SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2009 — 1 :00 P.M. I. Call to Order Mayor Jones called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present Mayor: AlbertJones Vice-Mayor Anne Castro Commissioners: Bob Anton John Bedout Patricia Flury Interim City Manager: Colin Locally City Attorney. 'Thomas Arabia City Clerk: Louise Stilsen 3. Interviews Colin Bwnsigep of the search firm Colin Baenziger an Associates, explained the procedures for today's interviews. Commissioner Bettina clarified for the record that this morning each Commissioner met indcpendontly with eaoh candidate for appmximetely 45 minutes, and had the opportunity to ask questions. Ron McLemore, applicant for city manager, provided an overview of his work experience. He has worked threughuct the southeast in both the private and public seoror. Mr. McLemure noted his passion is for excellence, not power; he Is a stardust person. He indicated that he would build consensus by inswing that everyone understood the shared vision fur the cummimity. Mr. McLemure believes that if the community, Commission, cod staff have the same vision, it would build consensus. He Indicated his coined city, with the staff they havu built and the plan put in place, has achieved its vision and can now function well without his leadership. Mc McLemore said that finance has been a strong pan of his background, abich helped Winter Springs to build the necessary msci He noted that counties have a different perspective of things than cities, and he thought that his knowledge of county procedures would assist him in dealing with Browanl County, in regards to the airport. Me McLemore noted he would be more comfortable if the City Manager oversaw the Director of Redevelopment, as opposed to the City Commission. However, his goal is to make everyone successful. He remarked he would be accessible to the public because they are valuable to us and Nought Nat the right attitude was important in customer communication. Mr. McLano e's vision for the City Is that we could have opportunities for high end residential development, office development, and some retail development when the economy nuns. He suggested we implement strategies for our in6astmcture and downtown, and curb appeal. Mr. Mclarmure noted that his previous staff, elected officials and citizens would describe him as a highly competent, strong leader with a firm but fair way In deal with employees and an effective consensus builder. Ile recommended that the way to unify the City is to find out what is important to than. With regard to tlm airport expansion project, he questioned the goal: do we want to fight to the end, or would there he any concessions that would benefit both parties. Ile indicated that economic development would need to be combined in order to auction smoothly, Mo Malamute perceives a consensus from the Corn esion on what they want for development, and thinks they Can accomplish their future goals because this City has a lot of potential, Ile said he would raise the bar continuously in terms of excellence, on everything the Commission decides to do. John @ago, applicant for city manager, provided an overview of his work experience. He indicated in economic development the driving force is .strategy. Mr. Dorm explained bow the City of Longwood worked toward their goal of economic development In order to shorten the process for developers, they eliminated zoning and empowered staff to approve a site plan within 45 days. He indicated the model used in Longwood could work in Dania Beach because both cites are builnou. Mr. Drago stated that he preferred that the City Manager oversee the CIL4 Director. He would be accessible to the community by attending civic and homeowner association meetings and would walk file streets to familiarize himself with the City. Mr. Drags advised that he is out familiar with the City's legal strategy regarding the nation. In reference to the airport expansion, he said he would meet with the County Administrator and ask him to put the airport issue aside when dealing with other matrera Mr. Drago indicated that being of Italian origin, be is familiar with discrimination. He noted the labor pool Is under trained in this area and he would appoint the best person qualified for the job. Mr. Drago would move to Dania Beach if he was chosen City Manager. Ile advised that Longwood is currently working on a new irzigadon plan to help in the green initiative and added that any new construction would also include green initiatives. With regard to the reception on Friday evening, Mr. Drago noted that very person he spoke with was very cordial and that he and his wife were pleased with this social gathering. He believes that most of the things he has accomplished happened because he works out of the box. Mr. Drago commented on the development pflnem in western Broward County where they are now facing drainage problems and they do not have a solution for it. Lastly, he stated that economic development needs good pluming and strategy is pan of that planning. Sarah Hannah, applicant for city manager, provided an overview of her work experience. She believes that Bar manager serves to implement policy, and the Commission sets the issues. Ms. Hannah noted that she is in favor of positive change and redevelopment activities She indicated that the City needs to reach out to the people who do nut want to be a part of us and involve them in the decision making in the community. Ms Barrack acknowledged that .she has the least eeperieme in management, but she is smart, loyal, dedicated and professional and has a good sense of humor. She said everyone should be seated fairly and the manager should be consistent In dealing with premium. Ms. Hannah is mmfonable with the decision the Commission has Mimnca of Mcaing 2 Freda Reach City Cummio inn City Mana°eminlurvicwx Source,om,,re 1?, 2009 mode regarding the CRA, and indicated that muff would work together. She noted that as a manager, she would be accessible to the public whenever needed. Ms. Hannah said she would be willing to move to Dania Beach, if selected for the position. She noted she is interested in the green initiative and sustainable growth; her experience is not high, but she is well versed in the entreat Ms. Hannah finally stated that public service and knowing her role as manager and the Commissions role are important. Russell Benfard, applicant for city manager, provided an overview of his work experience. He explained that Wert Pink, which was in scrpomted in 2005 is a contract city, and outsources most of their services. Mr. BeNbrd is comfortable with the current arrangement with the CRA Director, and indicated he would work with the correct CRA Director in marketing Dania Beach. Mr. Benfonl noted he has an open door policy with commissioners, state, commonly and developers. He believes in providing customer service, and is a hands on person. Mr. Renford marked that being available is pan of his job. His communication style is the most important task of any city manager, and said he communicates with his Comnission daily because duty need to be hdbrmed. Mr. Bonnard said he is hard working, honest and approachable. He indicated that marketing is important and in ten years Dania Reach could be a shining star, and Could he a multi-national worldwide destination with the marine industry. Mr. Bernard advised he is hoodlum with County ernploycw, legislature, and has built relationships with them. As a resident of Dania Reach he is familiar with the problems with the airpon and noted he lives directly in due flight pal The Commission has provided the direction and be is willing to continue in that direction He is aware of green initiatives and his current city is also following that path. Mr. ➢emend fuels he is a part of this community and he believes Dania Reach is one of the best cities in Broward County. Robert Baldwin, applicant for city manager, provided an overview of his work experience. He said no has Identified and dealt with complex problems in both service delivery and administration. eff and elect keeps the Commission informed and treats them all the some. He indicated That spro and elected officials think au is loyal, -ducal, and professional. n single event that he is proud , in the annexation fire charter in r changes he however he was unable ey sting the city together, in spite si en charter changes he proposal be indicated once they started wnunis comfortable wile the residents they began to come crowd and become pan of the city. to i Baldwin is comfortable with the CRA Director reporting to the me public an but wools like m include him in staffs and o s said he would bee noted Lae me public and Commission, and that he a improvement calls end tries to solve problems. (acme. He pored lake Worth d in need of reforms, including the impry County, d the electrical facility. Mc Baldwin advised That his career has hem in Brossard County, and he is familiar with the players, which would help with dealings with the County. He commented that in Heads we get things done, you hayed have wed to o in yore staff and delegate. Department Heads me hired to do a jnh and should he allowed t do it; you can be community in a small city, but not iv a large city. Nu. Baldwin said that Lake Worth is a great community but it is a city in caves. eo noted that one e. his weaknesses is that he gels Goss to employees and it is hard m leave someone without market to Mr. Benicia D currently lives in fa Lauderdale and it would be a hardship in airport expansion nsion m wove rt Davie Reach. He is With re with the Creep position with she airport expansion and supports the a offi direction. With in Florida;to due green initiative,a task fMr.or Baldwin indicated that Lake Worth is one of fire ng nea cities in Fl they have a task force and developed a plan. He is currently working on a Minutes of Meeting j Dania Retain City Commixainn City Manage tmcniews Sarwday,fantasy tl, 2009 policy manual for the green initiatives which he will complete before he leaves Lake Worth. Mr. Baldwin would like to see a canonically work together, and the only thing you can do is reach out and make them feel like part of the community. He said his code compliance officers are going to customer service training because they need to put a better face on code compliance and how they enforce the code. Mr. Baldwla believes he has a record of getting the job done with integrity and respect and he would use these sortie qualifies in llama Beach It selected for the position, hoc wants to work as part of a team with the Commission, staff, and eitiz ru. He is familiar with Broward County and the players and would reach out to his contacts for the benefit orthe City appertain Beach. He stated Dania Beach has a foundation for good government and is ready to go to the next level with redevelopment, and by addressing the airport expansion. Mr. Baemziger explained the Commission will select their top two candidates on 'I'uesdey night, without ranking them, this way the Commission can discuss who they really want. He indicated Nat a second vote would than be required. 4. Aunt Mayor Janes adjourned the meeting of 3:21 p.m. A'[rEST: CITY Of DANIA BEACH LODISE STILSON, CMC L... ALBERT C JONES I I CI CLERK ,a'iar S Fwa MAYOR-COMMISSIONER Approved: Ficene ry 11, 2009 } Mmutesofmcning 4 Owio BaovF City ComnJsslon City Manager In¢rviews samraar.lannsy 1],20)9