HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/25/1985 - SpecialMINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 25, 1985
6:30 P.M.
Present:
Mayor Luther Jones
Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Jack Best
Council Members:
David Berlanga, Sr. City Manager Edward A. Martin
Leo Guerrero Armando Chapa, City Secretary
Joe McComb
Frank Mendez
Bill Pruet
Mary Pat Slavik
Linda Strong
Mayor Luther Jones called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of
City Hall.
City Secretary Armando Chapa called the roll and verified that the
necessary quorum of the Council and the required Charter Officers were present
to conduct the meeting.
Mayor Jones explained that the purpose of the meeting was to hear
presentations by search firms on the recruitment of a new City Manager.
The following presentations were made by representatives of the companies
indicated:
Ralph Anderson and Associates
1. Presenter: Mr. Chris Hartung, Manager of the Dallas Office. His
experience includes 19 years of experience in Texas municipal government,
including working for the cities of Garland, White Settlement and in Denton
where he served as City Manager.
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2. Procedures: Interview individual Council Members and then meet with the
City Council as a group to devise a composite of what is needed in a City
Manager for the City of Corpus Christi. Following this, Mr. Hartung will
develop a list of potential candidates; prepare a background study of the
individual candidates; and then interview the candidates individually,
following which a report will be sent to the City Council. The Company
will assist in logistics involved in inviting the candidates to Corpus
Christi for interviews.
3. Time Period: 60 to 90 days, dependent upon the publication cycles of
various publications in which they advertise openings.
4. Cost: $12,000. Other expenses, including travel, will be $4,000 to
$6,000.
5. Special Procedures and Qualifications: Candidates will provide the company
with five references and other contacts will be made in the field to verify
the background of each candidate. Mr. Hartung expressed the opinion that
his company is well qualified because of their commitment to local
governments and to the southwest area.
In response to a question posed by Mayor Jones, Mr. Hartung indicated that
he would have no problem in considering applicants who are presently employed in
the City of Corpus Christi's local government.
Mayor Jones inquired about Mr. Hartung's opinion of industrial
psychologists, and Mr. Hartung stated that they could comply with such a request
if the Council desired.
MSL International Ltd, Member of the Hay Group
1. Presenter: Mr. Rocky Johnson, Vice President and Manager, Dallas.
2. Procedures: This company's approach would be a team approach with several
members of the firm involved in the process. They would first develop a
comprehensive description of the candidates and then approach applicants,
not only in municipal government, but also candidates who may now be in
industry who have had previous experience in municipal government. The
company will develop as much background information as possible under the
direction of the City Council. Following the compilation of background
information, in depth interviews with qualified individuals will be
conducted. From that list, as many individuals as the Council desires
could be selected. A written report will then be sent to the City Council
Members on the candidates selected. The interview process will then
follow. He assured the Council that if they did not wish to employ any of
those selected at first, the process will continue until a selection has
been made. The company will assist in the relocation and negotiation
process with the candidate selected.
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3. Time Period: 60 to 90 days. The company could probably have a number of
candidates for the Council to consider in the early part of February.
4. Cost: $12,000, including an initial retainer of $4,000 with the remaining
two installments to be billed at 30 -day intervals. In addition to this
fee, the company will bill the City on a monthly basis direct costs
associated with the search assignment, including consultant and candidate
travel, communications, research, etc.
5. Special Procedures and Qualifications: Mr. Johnson assured the Council
that they have an off -limit policy in that in positions where his company
has placed a candidate, that person will not be recruited for other
employment such as City Manager of the City of Corpus Christi. He also
explained that advertising is not their usual forte because they feel that
the best candidates are those who are currently employed and are not
necessarily seeking new positions.
In response to Mayor Jones' question in regard to applicants presently
working for the City of Corpus Christi, Mr. Johnson assured the Council that he
had no problem with considering such applicants and that the same profile will
be developed for such candidates who are presently employed by the City.
Murphy & Associates
1. Presenter: Mr. Patrick D. Murphy, President, Houston.
2. Procedures: This company's search will not be limited to this area but Mr.
Murphy pointed out the value of recruiting an individual whose background
and experience is culturally similar to local customs. Mr. Murphy
explained that they will first develop data on the City of Corpus Christi,
primarily to present such information to potential candidates. They will
then develop data on the position open such as the preparation of a job
description which must be approved by the Council. They will then conduct
a search for prospective candidates through the following sources:
personal contacts from municipal governments; personal contacts from the
private sector; advertising in municipal journals and private sector media.
The company will then perform the initial screening and discuss them with
the City Council Members in order to reduce the number of candidates to
possibly three to seven. The company will schedule the interviews with the
City Council and it will then be up to the Council to make an offer to the
candidate of their choice.
3. Time Period: 90 to 120 days. The prediction is that a new City Manager
will be able to start in the 120 -day time frame.
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4. Cost: This company's fee is 257 of the annual compensation received by the
new City Manager. Their practice requires the submission of an initial
retainer of $7,250 followed by monthly progress billings of $7,000 at 30
and 60 day intervals. Other expenses of the recruitment would be about
$4,000.
5. Special Procedures and Qualifications: Mr. Murphy indicated that he felt
that the most likely candidate would be either a City Manager of a smaller
city or an Assistant City Manager of a much larger city. He stated that
although his fee is somewhat higher than those of the other companies
making presentations, he felt that since they have 25 years experience in
this field, their fee is in line.
In response to Mayor Jones' question in regard to consideration of local
applicants, Mr. Murphy stated that unless the City Council has some special
requirement, he was of the opinion that everyone has a right to submit an
application and he would be very candid in his evaluation of local candidates.
Mr. Murphy stated that they have just recently placed a City Manager in
Sugarland, Texas, who formerly was employed in the City of Portland, Texas.
Jensen-Oldani & Associates, Inc.
1. Presenter: Mr. Jerrold Oldani, President, Bellevue, Washington.
2. Procedures: Mr. Oldani stated that he is in charge of the public sector
recruitment for his company and one-third of their business is conducted in
Texas with Austin as one of their primary clients. They will deal with the
City Council to conduct interviews with the individual Council Members in
order to develop a description of the candidate. They also interview staff
for additional information and no recruiting will be started until a
profile of the candidate has been prepared. Mr. Oldani stated that they do
advertise but 757 of their candidates are the result of their own
recruiting according to the profile established. The candidates will be
contacted by telephone according to the Council's standards; the company
will then narrow the list to 15; these applicants will be discussed with
the City Council; and Mr. Oldani will then go to the City and interview the
candidates selected by the City Council. The company will then provide the
City Council with a written profile with approximately ten references on
each candidate, noting that they request 15 to 20 references from the
candidate. He stated that he will be present for the interviews that the
Council conducts with the candidates and will assist them in their
evaluation process.
3. Time Period: 60 to 90 days with the final candidate selection interviews
estimated to be conducted during the week of March 31st.
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4. Cost: Fee of $16,250 based on a City Manager starting salary of $65,000.
This will be the maximum fee or 257 of the actual salary, whichever is
less, plus expenses directly related to the search.
5. Special Procedures and Qualifications: The company recommends the use of
an industrial psychologist for the finalists in the search. They offer a
one year guarantee on the finalists in that they review the candidate in 90
days, at the end of six months, at the end of nine months for quality
control on the candidate selected. Mr. Oldani stated that this is a very
attractive City, particularly with the prospect of Homeport being located
here and he expects approximately 200 applicants for the position. He
assured the Council that internal candidates would be subjected to the same
process as an external candidate. He pointed, however, that if the Council
requires that internal candidates be on the final list, there is a
possibility that a well qualified external candidate would be eliminated.
Korn/Ferry International
1. Presenter: Mr. Norman C. Roberts, Managing Vice President, Los Angeles,
California.
2. Procedures: A plan to meet with individual Council Members to devise a
recruitment profile. If the Council desires, they will discuss this with
other individuals that they feel is appropriate. Mr. Roberts explained
that his company retains a file of some executives and they also advertise
in appropriate publications. He pointed out that his company recruited the
present City Manager, Edward Martin, and stated that assisting him on this
assignment would be Mr. Robert Coop who is a former City Manager of
Phoenix, Arizona, as well as other cities. He explained that they have
conducted over 125 search tasks for large cities in the United States and
they have offices all over the United States with two in Texas, Houston and
Dallas. He pointed out that his firm does nothing but executive recruiting
and they will not recruit those people that they have previously placed in
positions. He explained also that they will actually seek out individuals
with superior qualifications and encourage them to apply. He stated that
if the Council desires, announcements could be placed in professional
journals, however, they rely more heavily on their own experience, contacts
and file data. He stated that they will review and evaluate all resumes
received and preliminary screening will be based on the selection criteria
contained in the recruitment profile. He assured the Council that they
will only submit for interview the resumes of those persons whom they have
personally interviewed and whose qualifications more closely match the
criteria established by the City Council Members. He explained that they
make extensive reference checks on the candidates selected.
3. Time Period: 75 days.
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4. Cost: $15,000, plus related expenses not to exceed $5,000.
5. Special Procedures and Qualifications: In response to Mayor Jones'
question in regard to his reaction to referring an internal candidate as a
finalist, Mr. Roberts stated that they would do what the Council desires
but he felt that internal candidates should not be given special preference
but should be evaluated the same as external candidates. Mr. Roberts also
explained that they will be totally committed to this search if they are
selected and pointed out that if the candidate selected resigns before one
year has elapsed, his firm will perform the search again at no cost.
* * * * * * * *
Wolfe & Associates, Inc.
1. Presenter: Mr. James L. Mercer, Regional Vice President, Atlanta, Georgia.
Recently appointed to manage the new Austin, Texas office.
2. Procedures: Four -step search process as follows: Define job
qualifications and requirements for position; identify qualified
candidates; evaluate prospective candidates; make recommendations and
assist in selection and facilitate employment. Mr. Mercer explained that
their recruitment is primarily by telephone to people that they feel meet
the profile requirements. He suggested that the Council interview only
five candidates. He stated that he could start the process the following
day. He stated also that they do not use the same candidates repeatedly
but try to find someone who fits in with this City's profile. Mr. Mercer
explained to Mr. McComb's question that they have a consultant type of
program in addition to recruiting and have worked for the City of Corpus
Christi on three occasions.
3. Time Period: Estimated time period, 60 days.
4. Cost: $12,000, plus additional expenses such as consultant, travel,
communications, advertising, etc., not to exceed 35% of the $12,000 fee.
5. Special Procedures and Qualifications: Mr. Mercer was formerly associated
with Korn/Ferry International as Vice President. He assured the Council
that his company would not attempt to recruit a candidate that they had
placed in a position for two years.
In response to the Mayor's question in regard to an internal applicant, Mr.
Mercer stated that he did not have any problem with that if he could be allowed
to go along with the professional process and consider him as just another
candidate.
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Mayor Jones inquired about the possibility of a closed session and its
legality.
City Manager Martin stated that a closed session would be legal only if the
Council desired to discuss an individual or the personality of one of the
presenters.
A motion was made by Council Member McComb that the Council convene in
closed session to discuss personnel involved.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Mayor Jones inquired if the Council Members felt that they wanted to make a
selection at this time or if they prefer to wait.
Council Member Mendez disagreed with the nation-wide search for a City
Manager and expressed the opinion that the Council should recruit within the
City of Corpus Christi.
Council Member Slavik pointed out that the agenda for the Council Meeting
the following day calls for a closed session on personnel and inquired if that
meeting pertained to this subject.
City Manager Martin stated that it did not but it could be added.
Council Member Slavik continued by stating that she is not ready to vote on
a search firm at this time and indicated that she would like to have a public
hearing on the subject, possibly in December. She also indicated that she felt
that the references of the various firms should be investigated before a
decision is made.
Council Member Guerrero also indicated that he did not think a search firm
is necessary because all presentations had indicated that they would recruit
exactly what the Council wanted and if the Council already has someone who is
qualified, there is no need to recruit additional candidates.
Council Member Berlanga stated that he did not think that the Council is
ready to decide on a search firm at this time and suggested that a decision be
made at a later date. He stated that he was of the opinion that the Council
should concentrate on local candidates first.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Best that the Council delay a decision
on employing a search firm for two weeks until they return from the National
League of Cities meeting in Seattle.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Guerrero.
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Council Member Pruet stated that he thought that the Council had already
made a decision to hire a search firm and he felt that they had already had an
opportunity to check references. He pointed out that there will not be any more
information available two weeks from now and they received three of the
proposals over a week before the presentations were made.
Mayor Jones pointed out that their obligation is to find the best City
Manager possible and to delay for two weeks is not fair since the companies have
spent funds to send representatives to this meeting. He stated that he would
like to see Deputy City Manager Ernest Briones considered for this position but
not to the exclusion of other candidates who might be qualified.
Council Member McComb indicated that he would vote against the motion to
delay because he felt that a search firm should be hired as soon as possible.
He stated that he has not met nor had any correspondence with any of the
representatives of the search firms involved.
Council Member Berlanga expressed the opinion that the proposals need to be
studied before a decision is made and in order to do a good job, he felt that
the Council should take a little more time.
Mayor Pro Tem Best explained that he is not trying to see that Mr. Briones
is employed as City Manager and he is not trying to deny the opportunity to
other people in the Country, he just feels that a slower and more methodical
process should be employed.
Council Member Strong expressed the opinion that this Council needs to
establish their own profile for a City Manager, not a previous Council, and she
felt that a decision could be made that night.
Mayor Jones called for the vote on the motion to delay the decision until
December 17th and it passed by the following vote: Best, Berlanga, Guerrero,
Mendez and Slavik voting, "Aye"; Jones, McComb, Pruet and Strong voting, "No".
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Best that a recruiting firm be hired at
that time, seconded by Council Member McComb and passed by the following vote:
Jones, Best, Berlanga, McComb, Mendez, Pruet, Slavik and Strong voting, "Aye";
Guerrero voting, "No".
The Special Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m., November 25, 1985.
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the
Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of November
25, 1985, which were approved by the City Council on December 3, 1985.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this the L1 k day of �Ceei�'V (t.1)(t.1),-)L) 11 YJ
Armando Chapa City Secretary
City of Corpus Christi, Texas