Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/30/2007

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that they are suggesting an. external panel consisting of the Personnel Committee, a Community Development Director from another City along with the EDA Chair and Planning Commission Chair. She stated that they are suggesting the internal panel consist of staff members. She stated that they are also recommending a national recruitment process and that $5,000 be allocated to cover expenses such as assessments, background checks and possibly travel expenses. She stated that this money would come from the salary savings, as Community Development Director Trudgeon will be leaving in November. City Administrator Ulrich stated that this will be a lengthy process and wiiI fall in the holiday season. He stated that they are suggesting the interviews take place after the holidays and noted that he does not think the City will have anybody in the position until March 2008. He stated that they are recommending that 10 to 12 interviews be held in the first round and then the numbers scaled down for the City Council involvement, for example, the last 3 candidates be interviewed by the full City Council. Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he 'would like to leave the door open that if additional City Councilmembers, other than those on the Personnel Committee, are interested in attending the earlier interviews, that they can. He asked if the $5,000 atp.ount would be enough to cover expenses. City Administrator Ulrich stated that most of the advertising will be free, other than the ad placed in the Star and Tribune, so he feels the $5,000 will be sufficient. Human Resources Manager Reed Kone stated that one thing to note is that this $5,000 does not include relocation expenses if the candidate chosen is from out of state. She stated that they are hoping for candidates who are motivated to move to Minnesota on their own. Councilmember Strommen asked what would happen in the interim . between the time Community Development Director Trudgeon leaves and a new candidate is hired. City Administrator Ulrich stated that he has discussed the appointment of the Assistant Community Development Director to this position and she has agreed. Councilmember Elvig stated that he would like to speak as. though Community Development Director Trudgeon was not in the room, and asked what the City could do to "sweeten. the pot" so he would not leave. Mayor Gamec suggested that the Personnel Committee meet with the City Administrator to discuss the possibility. Councilmember Elvig stated that he feels it is in the City's best interest to do everything it can and exhaust all possibilities in order to try to keep Community Development Director Trudgeon. City Administrator Ulrich stated that there is a pay plan approved by the City Council that would have to be amended to offer Community Development Director Trudgeon additional salary. He City Council Work Session / October 30, 2007 Page 12 of 19