Minutes - Council - 07/29/1985 - Special

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demanding but very good; he is not intimidating, a good c~t-,unicator, a strong leader, and willing to train others. Mayor Heitman stated that willingness to train others is an important oonsideration; it could prevent the City frc~ leaving itself open to the type of situation again where an employee resigns and there is nobody capable of taking over that person's tasks. Councilm~mber COx stated that the City should ask for references prior to making a decision. Mr. Schnelle stated that the references can be available at the August 5 Council meeting. Councilmember COx stated that Council, as accountable and responsible persons, should require references in the process of hiring. Mayor Heitman stated that Council has to be up front; if there are any problems, state th~m now or hold piece. Councilm~mber COx stated that he thinks it is inappropriate to hire someone without references; it allows for not finding out sc~ething you don't want to find out. Mr. Schnelle suggested Council direct that an offer be made to Mr. Graczyk; if the offer is acceptable, require references; and Council make a final decision on August 5. Councilm~ber Reimann stated he is comfortable with offering the position to Mr. Graczyk today; the sooner this matter is taken care of the better off Ramsey will be. Councilme~ber Sorteberg stated that he is oomfortable in the reco~endation based on the fact that Mr. Graczyk has been with the City of Fridley for 3 years; it would have been a good idea to have references available prior to this point, but a lot of people don't want their offices to know that they looking for a job change. Mr. Schnelle stated that earning a certificate of conformance was used as the final point system in evaluating the applicants; Mr. Graczyk and Ms. Skarbakka were directly related to their city's earning that certificate. Gouncilm~mber COx stated that he understands there is a time situation but he received his agenda on Friday evening and hasn't had a sufficient amount of time to check out anything that would be important to the taxpaying citizens of this community. Councilm~mber COx stated that he thinks Council is a little hasty in it's action and might be sorry in the future. Gouncilmember Reimann stated that he doesn't think anything was done in haste; the position was advertised, applications and resunes were received, the selection was narrowed down to 5 and 4 of th~m were interviewed. Councilm~mber Reimann stated that he is comfortable with the information and the procedure followed. Councilmember COx stated that he respects what has been done by the Personnel O~r~ittee and noted that his vote is just as important as their votes and that is why he is quite adimant about having the opportunity to check out some things as well. COuncilmember COx stated that in his opinion, a certificate of conformance is not necessarily a criteria for hiring someone. Mr. Schnelle stated that when he came to Ramsey his ultimate goal was that Ramsey get a certificate of conformance; and if Ramsey did not, the reason why would be known. Mr. Schnelle stated that in his opinion a certificate of conformance is the botton line to what a city is doing; it means you are doing the best job of telling the citizens what is going on -- be it good or bad. Councilm~mber Gox stated that he has no problem with Mr. $chnelle's opinion but in his opinion, the certificate of conformance is not the ultimate in informing the public; there is a lot of other criteria for what makes a community good. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Heitman, Councilmembers Sorteberg, Reimann and Schlueter. Voting No: Councilm~mber COx. Councilm~nber (Dx stated that his 'no' vote is based on the fact that he has not had the proper time frame in which to review the applicants; it does not necessarily mean that he doesn't feel Mr. Graczyk is the best candidate for the July 29, 1985 Page 15 of 22