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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. MICROFILMED 4inutes Special Council Meeting November 25, 1985 Page 2 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. 4inu t e s Special Council Meeting November 25, 1985 Page 3 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. 4inutes Special Council Meeting November 25, 1985 Page 4 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. 4inutes Special Council Meeting November 25, 1985 Page 5 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. 4inutes Special Council Meeting November 25, 1985 Page 6 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. 4inutes Special Council Meeting November 25, 1985 Page 7 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. 4inutes Special Council Meeting November 25, 1985 Page 8 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. DZ/rr inutes pecial Council Meeting November 25, 1985 Page 9 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