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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06282023 City Council Special Meeting Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 28,2023 Volume 42,Page 350 CALL TO ORDER The June 28, 2023 special meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Sue McClure. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Alan Nickell led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure,presiding, and John Osenga Liz DeMoss Mike Calhoon Randy Wells Kevin Finch Robert Barnwell comprising a quorum of the Council; and Norm Regis,Acting City Manager Stephen Sowell,Assistant City Manager Tammy Nickell, Human Resources Director Alan Nickell,Police Chief Kris Peck, City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Lynda Paquette, outside city limits, encouraged council to ask the first candidate why they decided to apply for the city manager position. Paquette had concerns that the first candidate lacked a history in government work and didn't fit the job criteria. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Wells/Osenga) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous There were no items on the consent agenda. NEW BUSINESS Other New Business City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 28, 2023 Volume 42,Page 351 Interview the City Manager Applicants Interview with George Zoukee(video conference)began at 5:05 p.m. and concluded at 5:28 p.m. Interview with Samuel Sulkosky(video conference)began at 5:32 p.m. and concluded at 6:11 p.m. Council recessed the meeting at 6:12 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 6:18 p.m. Interview with Kat Sorensen began at 6:18 p.m. and concluded at 6:39 p.m. Council recessed the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Interview with Edgar Blatchford began at 6:46 p.m. and concluded at 7:25 p.m. Council recessed the meeting 7:25 p.m. Council resumed the meeting 7:31 p.m. Interview with Susana Stinnett began at 7:31 p.m. and concluded at 8:13 p.m. Motion (DeMoss/Wells) Offer the city manager position to Kat Sorensen pending negotiations and background check. Wells thought Sorensen's interview was excellent. Finch wanted his decision to be based on qualifications and experience. He felt there were three other applicants who had more experience than Sorensen. Barnwell said Sorensen's strengths far outweighed her weaknesses. She had a unique ability to reach across all types of social groups. Sorensen understood Seward's unique business sector and her track record as Chamber of Commerce Director was sterling. Osenga admitted he had some initial reservations about Sorensen, however he was completely converted to a supporter after her interview. He felt she was capable of learning everything she needed to know as city manager. McClure said Sorensen hit the interview out of the park and wanted to offer the position to Sorensen. Calhoon said he didn't want to hire any of the five applicants who interviewed tonight. He felt the city needed someone who could come in and do the job without a lot of training on public administration. His recommendation was to hold off on a decision tonight and go through the GovHR hiring process. GovHR would furnish the city with qualified applicants who would meet the requirements of the job description. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 28,2023 Volume 42,Page 352 Motion Passed Yes: Wells,DeMoss,Barnwell,Osenga, McClure No: Calhoon,Finch Council directed administration to initiate the hiring process.Council appointed a negotiating team consisting of Finch, DeMoss and Mayor McClure to meet with Sorensen and negotiate a contract. CITIZEN COMMENTS Darryll Schaefermeyer,inside city limits,said he appreciated council for the process they went through to reach their decision. Schaefermeyer predicted Sorensen would do an admirable job as city manager. Tony Baclaan, inside city limits, recalled past city manager candidates provided by GovHR were not up to par considering the expense paid for that service. Baclaan was glad the hiring was done in house. He recommended the contract negotiation team could include stipulations to set goals for the new city manager. He was glad the decision to offer the position to Sorensen was made tonight. Lynda Paquette, outside city limits, said it was a great night and felt the interview questions were spot on. She initially didn't think Sorensen was qualified,but noted how the energy in the room went up 100%during Sorensen's interview. Sharyl Seese, inside city limits, initially didn't think Sorensen was qualified, but the excellent interview won her over. She was confident that Sorensen was a great choice. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Regis thanked Tammy Nickell in the HR Department for her hard work during this hiring process. Sowell said that the city department heads would support Sorensen in her new role as city manager. Finch appreciated the community input. However, he still felt the city manager should be hired based on experience and qualifications. Barnwell thanked Tammy Nickell for her fine work in HR Department and thanked all the applicants for their time. Barnwell felt Sorensen had such great energy that it would be an exciting time for Seward. 111 Calhoon thanked all the candidates and thanked the HR Department. He appreciated all the citizen comments and understood their perspective. Calhoon said he would absolutely be willing to work with Sorensen to be successful. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 28, 2023 Volume 42,Page 353 Wells noted Sorensen didn't have any Chamber of Commerce experience prior to making the Seward Chamber of Commerce the best one in the state. Wells was very confident that Sorensen would excel in this position. DeMoss thanked everyone who interviewed tonight. She thanked Sowell and Regis for holding down the fort in the city manager's office. Osenga thanked all the applicants for interviewing. He congratulated Sorensen and thanked city administration and HR Department for their hard work. Osenga felt it had been a good process overall and noted how this council worked well together. McClure said it was good to see Edgar Blatchford in person and she thanked all the applicants for their time. McClure thanked Tammy Nickell in the HR Department for her help with the process. She congratulated Sorensen and noted the energy level was exciting. She appreciated the entire council for their different viewpoints. EXECUTIVE SESSION No executive session was held. The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. c Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) ,,,St%QF SE••,• • _ • _.' SEAL : • : -♦- / .,�• O;,A;P��.