MINUTES
Wasco City Council
SPECIAL MEETING
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 – 4:00pm
City Council Chambers
1) CALL TO ORDER- Mayor West called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
2) ROLL CALL- Mayor West, Councilmember’s Cortez, Espitia, Pearson and Wegman
Others Present: City Manager Pennell, City Attorney Peake, City Clerk Hight, Finance Director Wooner, Public Works Director Jones, Planning Director Woodcock, Economic Development Director Mittag, Sr. Planner McNamara, Human Resource Manager Randhawa
3) Report and Possible Minute Action, RE: Forming a committee to recruit a new City Manager.
Mayor West reported that due to the unexpected resignation of Finance Director Wooner, he suggested he and Councilmember Wegman form a committee for recruitment of a City Manager. Mayor West suggested that Human Resource Manager Randhawa spearhead the advertising. He also suggested that this committee would be available for public input of desired qualifications and comments. The committee would then bring the candidate before Council for approval.
City Manager Pennell offered his expertise and contact information to the committee.
Councilmember Cortez volunteered to be on the committee.
Citizen Wayne Montgomery stated that in his experience, candidates would likely canvass the community and come to their own conclusions regarding the community and the position.
Citizen Joel Ackerknecht inquired as to the timeline for hire.
Human Resource Manager Randhawa gave a timeline of approximately 3 months, taking into consideration the upcoming holidays.
Citizen Roy Johnson stated that in his opinion City Manager Pennell would be an asset in the placement of a new City Manager.
Citizen Wayne Ketcherside stated that not rushing into replacement of both positions and keeping the city moving forward would be in the best interest of the city.
After lengthy discussion, Mayor West called for a motion.
Councilmember Cortez once again requested being on the committee.
Councilmember Espitia volunteered to be on the committee with Councilmember Cortez.
Councilmember Pearson made a motion to form a committee of Cortez and Espitia for the recruitment of a City Manager with the aid of City Manager Pennell, 2nd by Councilmember Espitia. All in favor motion carried with a 5-0-0- vote.
4) City Manager report concerning Department Head recruiting procedure.
City Manager Pennell expressed his profound sense of loss in regards to the resignation of Administrative Service Director/Finance Director John Wooner. Mr. Pennell explained a shared plan that he, Wooner and Randhawa had developed to move as quickly as possible with publications for Finance Director before the publication of City Manager is posted. Mr. Pennell continued to explain the due process of advertisement and selection.
Timelines and which position would be filled first were the topic of discussion.
Wayne Montgomery, Wayne Ketcherside, Gary Jones, Joel Ackerknecht spoke in favor of flying Finance Directors position first, and not rushing into filling either position.
After lengthy discussion Attorney Peake suggested that the discussion of position, title and salary be placed on the September 5th agenda.
Mayor West asked that this item be placed on the September 5th Agenda.
5) ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Wegman made a motion to adjourn at 4:40 p.m., 2nd by Councilmember Espitia. All in favor motion carried.
______________________ ____________________________
Vickie Hight, City Clerk Fred West Jr., Mayor
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