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City Council Minutes Page 3 <br /> March 4,2013 <br /> 6.1 Awards.Recognitions&Presentations <br /> None. <br /> 7.1 Public Hearings <br /> None. <br /> 4.4 Request for Proposal for Comprehensive Plan <br /> Councilmember Motin asked questions regarding the need and cost to update the <br /> Comprehensive Plan,noting it was updated considerably in 2004. He noted he hoped not to <br /> have to start from square one on the plan. <br /> Mr.Barnhart explained the need for review,noting the cost would be minimal but updating <br /> the plan would be beneficial to the city by having outside firms,as well as public,offer input <br /> to determine if the Plan still reflects the needs of the community. <br /> Mr.Portner concurred,noting the plan was in need of a review and fine tuning it would be <br /> beneficial. <br /> MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY <br /> COUNCILMEMBER BURANDT TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR <br /> PROPOSAL FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS OUTLINED IN THE STAFF <br /> REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. <br /> 4.5 Community Operations and Development Deputy Director <br /> Councilmember Motin asked questions regarding the process of filling this position,why it <br /> was filled internally,and the overall need to fill this position.He noted he is very confident <br /> in Mr.Barnhart's abilities but had concerns that Council wasn't given an opportunity to offer <br /> direction. <br /> Mayor Dietz felt he remembered during budget discussions that the intention was to fill the <br /> Deputy Director position with an internal employee. <br /> Mr.Portner explained the position was approved during the budget process,and explained <br /> the decision to recommend Mr.Barnhart was due to a number of factors based upon the <br /> strengths of the Community Operations and Development Director.The Deputy Director <br /> position became a hybrid position of sorts.During the budget process,the Council reviews <br /> and approves all positions and vacancies and approves wage and benefit funding to fill each <br /> approved position.Mr.Portner explained he was following state statute and past practices in <br /> regard to the hiring process,but if the Council wished to change this,a formal policy can be <br /> outlined at a future work session. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard felt this particular hiring process was done adequately and Mr. <br /> Portner ensured all department needs were fulfilled.He stated he didn't feel Council needed <br /> to review every single position as Mr.Portner is able to evaluate operations and staffing <br /> requirements. <br /> MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY <br /> COUNCILMEMBER BURANDT TO PROMOTE JEREMY BARNHART TO <br />