Agenda - Council - 08/13/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the staff report and recommended recruiting to fill the City Engineer position. He indicated that during the three-month recruiting process, a temporary engineering consultant will be used. City Administrator Ulrich raised the option offered by Park Supervisor Riverblood who proposed fostering a spirit of cooperation during the selection process by reclassifying the Street Supervisor position to Public Works Superintendent and the Parks Supervisor position to Parks Supervisor/Assistant Public Works Superintendent, which would also assure there is support for the Public Works Director. Mayor Ramsey asked who would be supervising the Engineering Technicians and other staff during the recruitment period. City Administrator Ulrich suggested supervision of staff and inspections by Civil Engineer Linton or the engineering consultant. Councilmember Elvig asked how the transition would occur between the consulting engineer and newly hired Public Works Director and suggested that process be structured into the consulting contract or RFP so the City does not end up paying incrementally for that period of time. He noted if a consultant engineer is on staff, there may be three areas of responsibility: project-by- proj ect, staffing supervision, and transition at the end of the three-month recruitment period. City Administrator Ulrich agreed there will be a transition period at the end of the recruitment between the consulting engineer and new Public Works Director. Councilmember Tossey asked whether City Engineer Himmer had been asked to suggest who should take over his position. City Administrator Ulrich stated he did raise that issue with City Engineer Himmer, discussed existing staff, and the opportunity to have existing staff take on the City Engineer position. Councilmember Tossey stated he made a mistake at the last meeting and should have supported the depaittnent head position because he thought it was what staff supported. He indicated if the Council values its Engineering Department, it needs to recruit for a City Engineer and Public Works Director. Councilmember Tossey stated he would support hiring Mr. Himmer as Public Works Director. Motion by Councilmember Tossey, seconded by Councilmember Elvig, to offer the Public Works Director position to Tim Himmer Mayor Ramsey stated if he had known Mr Himmer was interested in the Public Works Director position, it may have changed his vote. City Engineer Himmer submitted his formal letter of resignation. Councilmembers Tossey and Elvig withdrew their motion on the floor. Special City Council Meeting / June 5, 2012 Page 2 of 7