HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 09/12/07 Special Meeting
M I N U T E S
Eugene City Council
Special Meeting
Bascom/Tykeson Room—Eugene City Hall
September 12, 2007
5:30 p.m.
COUNCILORS PRESENT: Andrea Ortiz, Betty Taylor, Bonny Bettman, George Poling, Chris Pryor,
Mike Clark, Alan Zelenka
COUNCILORS ABSENT: Jennifer Solomon.
1. WORK SESSION: Meeting with Recruiter for City Manager Position
Her Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the special meeting of the Eugene City Council to order. She
announced the upcoming community forum on September 17 on the subject of the qualifications for a new
city manager. She noted that City Manager pro tem Angel Jones had yet to make a decision about whether
to apply for the position and decided not to attend the meeting. She said that Ms. Solomon was unable to
attend. Acting Assistant City Manager Scott Luell was present.
Councilors introduced themselves to Bob Neher of Bennett Yarger, the consultant firm hired by the City to
assist with the recruitment of a new city manager. Human Resources and Risk Services Director Lauren
Chouinard and Recruitment and Selection Director Alana Holmes were also present for the item.
Mr. Neher briefly described the brochure that would be produced for the recruitment process identifying
successful candidate traits and providing information to candidates about Eugene. The brochure would be
mailed out to interested candidates. He noted the types of advertising that would occur and where the
advertisements would appear, including professional organizations’ publications and internet sites, and
publications and sites aimed at minority candidates. Advertisements would be placed in September and the
brochure would be available in early October. He emphasized the role that networking would play in the
process.
Mr. Neher noted that September 24 was tentatively the end date for input. Responding to a request for
direction from Mr. Neher, Mayor Piercy recalled that the council established the community forum as an
opportunity for additional public input, and had agreed that the consultant would meet with the members of
the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, the Springfield mayor, and the Springfield
city manager.
Ms. Bettman suggested that Mr. Neher also contact some principals at the University of Oregon (UO) to
discuss the manager’s relationship with the UO. Mayor Piercy recommended Mr. Neher talk to UO
President David Frohnmayer if possible. There was general concurrence.
Ms. Bettman asked that referral sources for candidates be identified and the council alerted if any candidates
applied from those referral sources.
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Mr. Neher reviewed a process timeline. The council discussed the timeline and councilors noted concerns
about the process running into the winter break. After discussion, the council agreed to retain the proposed
closing date of November 23, which would allow for the consultant’s progress report to be prepared by
December 7 and the final report to be prepared by the week of December 17. The council would meet
during the week of December 17 to review the final report. Candidate interviews would occur after the
break.
Mr. Zelenka joined the meeting via speakerphone.
The council and Mr. Neher discussed the elements of the proposed candidate interview process, including a
tour, citizen panels, employee panels, and the actual interviews. The council agreed to schedule the
interviews over a two-day period, preferably a Friday and Saturday. Councilors briefly discussed residents
who could serve as tour leaders.
Mr. Neher indicated he would provide the council with some sample interview questions to stimulate
thinking. The council agreed to discuss the questions to be asked on September 18. Mr. Neher invited
potential questions from the council.
Ms. Holmes distributed the list of citizens and organizations proposed by the council for Mr. Neher to
contact. She invited councilors to send staff additions to the list by the end of the day.
Mr. Neher outlined his schedule of interviews for September 18.
Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Angel Jones
City Manager pro tem
(Recorded by Kimberly Young)
MINUTES—Eugene City Council September 12, 2007 Page 2
Special Meeting