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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ~ OJHKOfH PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL ON THE WATER CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN SPECIAL MEETING held Friday, November 9, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Tower presided. PRESENT: Council Members Jessica King, Dennis McHugh, Bryan Bain, Paul Esslinger, Burk Tower and Frank Tower Excused: Council Member Tony Palmeri ALSO PRESENT: John Fitzpatrick, Acting City Manager, Pamela Ubrig, City Clerk, and Lynn Lorenson, Assistant City Attorney Council Member Statements Mayor Tower explained that after some further thought process since the November 6th Special Meeting, he decided that it was in the best interest for the City of Oshkosh to discontinue the interim city manager search and to proceed with the placement of a permanent city manager. He explained his desire to begin the process after January 17, 2008, which was the date for papers to be filed related to a change in local government. He explained that Mr. Fitzpatrick would continue to fill the role of acting city manager. He explained the timetable for a possible referendum and the April 1 , 2008 election. Council Member Esslinger explained that he was embarrassed by the actions of the Council. He explained that it was inappropriate to make the decision without the full Council present and without a majority of citizen input. He explained that five individuals were recently selected to be interviewed and it was inappropriate not to proceed with the established process. He explained his opposition for a decision to be made at the current meeting. He explained that additional compensation should be considered for Mr. Fitzpatrick and Ms Lorenson. Proceedings of the Common Council - November 9, 2007 Council Member McHugh reviewed the various responsibilities of Mr. Fitzpatrick. He explained his opposition to selecting a full time city manager at the present time. He explained that at the closed session of the special meeting held November 6, 2007 the decision was made to interview five candidates for the position of interim city manager. He expressed concerns that the short public notice and lack of information was similar to the Menominee Park pier issue. He explained that decisions of such importance should be made when the entire Council was in attendance. He explained that community meetings should have been held before this point in time. He explained that a vote was not taken on November 6th and a decision was made by consensus. He asked for clarification related to the vote process at the current meeting. Council Member Tower questioned the consequences and legal ramifications of suspending the search for the interim city manager. He explained his opinions on a citizen led referendum related to a change in city government. He expressed concerns related to making a decision at the present meeting versus the next scheduled council meeting of November 13, 2007. He questioned the procedure for discussions on contract responsibilities and closed sessions. Council Member King reviewed the process for the candidate search. She explained that open government laws required the announcement of the finalists. She complimented city staff on their continuation of dedicated work throughout the current circumstances. She explained that she had received plenty of citizen feedback related to the issue and she would not be swayed by additional input. Council Member Bain explained there was the possibility that there would not be a full Council available for the scheduled meeting of November 13, 2007. He explained that moving the decision to the scheduled meeting would allow for additional citizen comments. He explained that it was clear at the November 6th Special Meeting that four council members wanted to go forward with an interim search and that he and Council Members Tower and King preferred different options. He explained a desire to have community meetings between the present time and January 17, 2008 to discuss leadership and vision for the City of Oshkosh. He explained that the City needed to move forward. Mr. Fitzpatrick explained that there were no legal ramifications for not interviewing the selected finalists. He explained that from an organizational perspective it was necessary to move forward with a decision to begin the process of attending to the business at hand. He explained that it was the responsibility of the Council to discuss compensation issues related to him and there could possibly be elements for both open and closed session. He advised Council to have another participant besides himself involved in those discussions due to the nature of the conversations. He explained that there were policies in place for him to address the compensation issue for Ms Lorenson. 2 Proceedings of the Common Council - November 9, 2007 Ms Lorenson stated that there were no legal ramifications for not interviewing the selected finalists. She explained that it was appropriate to take a motion and vote at the current meeting to give clear direction to staff. Citizen Statements Carl Sosnoski, 2475 Knapp Street Road, announced that there would be a citizen led referendum related to a change in city government. He explained his opposition to a city manager search at this point in time. Alan Irving, 1903 Fairview Street, stated his support for a mayoral type of government with a council. He expressed his opinions on the interim search. MOTION: CARRIED: MOTION: CARRIED: DISCONTINUE WITH THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER AND PROCEED WITH THE SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT CITY MANAGER AFTER JANUARY 17TH, PENDING NO REFERENDUM WOULD BE BROUGHT FORWARD, IF THERE WOULD BE A REFERENDUM, THEN THE PROCESS WOULD BE POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 18T PENDING THE OUTCOME (Mayor Tower; second, King) Ayes (4) King, Bain, Tower, Mayor Tower; Noes (2) McHugh, Esslinger ADJOURN (Esslinger; second, Bain) VOICE VOTE The meeting adjourned at 11: 12 a. m. PAMELA R. UBRIG CITY CLERK 3