HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-11 Council Minutes - Work SessionKENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
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APRIL 11, 2001
7:00 P.M.
KENAI SENIOR CENTER
MAYOR JOHN J. WILLIAMS, PRESIDING
Council present: Bookey, Williams, Porter, Moore, Frazer, Swarner, Bookey
Staff present: Freas, Ross, Graves, Walden, Tilly
Others present: Leo Oberts, Ethel Clausen, Barb Nord
Council reviewed the applications of the 15 applicants who fulfilled the initial
application process, i.e. met the minimum requirements and returned the required
supplemental information.
Council chose to allow each member to offer names of those applicants they preferred
to discuss further. The names were deposited with Clerk Freas and a count was made
as follows:
Clark
5 Elliot
3
Snow
7 Underkofler
3
Hladick
4 Powers
1
Edes
3 Ciesielski
1
Beeler J_-
1 Robinson
1
The applicants receiving one preference were eliminated and the remaining
applications were reviewed by the council as a whole. Noting skills, prior experience,
education, etc. further eliminations were made (Edes, Underkofler, and Clark)
reducing the applicants to three.
William B. Elliot: Council's comments to further consider this applicant were:
• Prior experience as a city manager
• Many projects accomplished at last employment (four years)
Linda L. Snow: Council's comments to further consider this applicant were:
• All seven council members offered her name for consideration
• Stability of job background
• Is familiar with Kenai
• Application generally very impressive
• Several members of council were contacted by a past mayor who worked
with Snow and gave her very good references.
• Soldotna City Manager Boedecker spoke highly of Snow.
Chris Hladick: Council's comments to further consider this applicant were •
Soldotna City Manager Boedecker spoke highly of Hladick.
Background in environmental biology, geological engineering, public
works and construction.
9 Experience with state and federal funding
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APRIL 11, 2001
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• Dillingham budget is similar to Kenai's, same types of departments,
though less employees than Kenai.
• Working toward a Master's Degree in Public Administration.
Council took the opportunity to suggest and review any of the 35 total applicants, but
there were none brought forward. Ross was asked if there were any other applicants,
in his opinion, that should seriously be reviewed that council had not brought
forward. Ross noted, most of the applicants didn't respond to the supplemental
information requests and waivers and some applicants were not qualified. Ross
suggested telephone background checks of references given by the applicants be the
next step taken. Because of Ross' experience in interviewing and knowledge of what
and what not to ask, council requested him to do the telephone background checks
with the references. Ross stated he would first do the background interviews on the
references and provide transcripts of those interviews. He added, through those
interviews, other information can be gathered and additional contacts made as well as
media contacts.
Ross explained he would like to have a council member present during the telephone
contacts, but understood that might not be workable if there are call backs, etc. He
estimated the interviews and checks would take more than a week. After passing the
information garnered from the interviews to council, a decision can be made as to
what council's next step will be. Attorney Graves will do credit checks. It was
suggested council could schedule an executive session during the May 2 meeting in
order to discuss the interview findings and debate strengths and weaknesses.
Swarner requested letters be sent to the other applicants thanking them for their
interest. Ross also noted, when calling the candidates, he would not interview them
as council will, but would give the applicants a chance to disclose anything they may
wish to disclose.
Council set an executive session for the May 2, 2001 council meeting. Council also
cancelled the budget work session for April 24 and noted they would set another in
May if it is found to be necessary.
Williams requested an update synopsis of the bluff erosion/coastal zone trail project
for him to take to Washington, DC.
Ross reported the Commissioner of Corrections is interested in meeting with both the
city and Borough Assembly in regard to the proposed private prison. He noted she
would be in the area between May 21 and 25.
The work session adjourned at approximately 8:46 p.m.
No s trans i e dX0 prepared by:
A"90WO By cotwm
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
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