Minutes - Charter Commission - 01/18/2007

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Mayor Gamec stated that former City Administrator Norman mentioned at the Council meeting that if it's the right city, it doesn't make a difference if the position is Administrator or Manager. The opportunity is with the City. In fact, Mr. Norman was a manager where he came from to be an Administrator in Ramsey. The application criterion is basically the same for either position. He added that it is also a good thing to have advancement opportunities within the City. Commissioner Fredericks stated that all during the discussion the Charter Commission had relating to the date of the change — it was not thought of as an automatic appointment — it was thought of as a reposting of the job. Therefore, it made more sense to make it effective with this hiring process. Mayor Gamec stated that it would be really hard to hire someone with that in mind — that it would have to be reposted/re - advertised. Commissioner Fredericks reiterated that was the reasoning behind the 2008 date. Based upon the 2011 date, whoever would be hired in July or August would have to go through the hiring process again at that time. Commissioner Fischer stated that in 2007, the person hired is the City Administrator — but in 2011, the City will be ready for a City Manager. It would not be an automatic as the Commission sees it as technically two different positions. Mayor Gamec expressed disagreement with that and inquired if Mr. Goodrich thought the position would have to be re- advertised. Mr. Goodrich replied that the person who is hired as the City Administrator could be groomed to serve in the Manager position. The main difference is the Council still does the hiring of the Department Heads with an Administrator. Mayor Gamec felt that if the person hired is working out as the Administrator, they should then be appointed to the City Manager position when that becomes effective. Commissioner Ebel stated that she has always been in favor of the City Administrator position versus the City Manager position. She likes the fact that there are elected officials that are elected by the public to keep a pulse on City Hall. She feels she couldn't really contact the City Council if she's having a problem with the City Manager because the Manager is like the CEO of a big company. He handles all personnel and if department heads have an issue, it goes to the City Manager and she has seen where it's completely left out of Council's hands. The City Council has no idea of what's going on. We are paying staff and the Mayor and City Council are seeing to it that we are getting service. Mayor Gamec stated the City Council is still responsible in the end. It's a working relationship between staff and the City Council. Commissioner Deemer stated that Ramsey has had three City Administrator changes because newly elected Councils wanted change. Charter Commission /January 18, 2007 Page 3 of 5