04-12-2004 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes April 12, 2004 Page 8 Mr. Kdaers stated that he could finalize that piece of the puzzle but that he didn't see any immediate urgency. He stated that from this General Government area, there would be no more than two additional staff reporting to him, and maybe it's one. Councilmember Tveite agrees that the next important consolidation area is the Community Development area, and then the Administration/Finance area. Council_member Dietz stated that council has talked about city vision and reorganization, but the main point of this exercise and the way that it started was the relationship between the city administrator and the department heads, how they communicate and what needs to be done, and he doesn't want the council to lose focus that that was the point of this whole mission. He stated that he had heard from several staff members regarding the memo in the packet. His response to people is that this is just the administrator's opinion and, in his view, the council wouldn't do anything until council has done the three sessions with the consultant Brimeyer. He also stated that council would be receiving input from all the department heads. Mr. IClaers stated that he compiled the information as he was asked to do and gave the council his professional opinion, not the opinion from all 16-department heads. Mr. Klaers stated that this was his assignment. Yes, it will cost money to go through organizational changes and to add upper level positions. He feels in the hiring of a Community, Development Director that if the city promotes internally, you would have to replace that person. The Public Works Director and the Engineering Department will be expensive and we will have to decide when it is the right time and whether we can afford it. Nix. I<laers stated that ~vith the assignment to eliminate the number of direct reports by half, it ~vas going to impact people. Councilmember Dietz stated that his idea with the exception of the Park & Recreation Director position was that all candidates could be internal for these department head positions. Mr. I~daers stated that that is what he is suggesting with Community Development, and that some of the other positions could also come from within. Councilmember Motion stated that we need the Assistant Administrator position in the organizational chart as well (for the General Government area). He feels that this position should be considered even before the Public Works position. Councilmember Dietz asked if the City Administrator, in regards to the Community Development position, is saying that anyone in that area would be eligible to apply. Mr. Klaers stated that this is a council decision but that he could give his recommendation regarding whom to promote if this is what the council desires. Councilmember Kuester feels that it should be open to internal and external candidates and to follow the same process that we would follow for external candidates. ' Mayor Klinzing stated that the council may be aware of issues from those applying and the council didn't want to put the Administrator in an awkward position. Councilmember Tveite asked about the city prosecuting attorney and when he was hired it was to have him with the police department, why is this not the situadon. Councilmember Motin stated that could be a problem with protocol; there should be separation of duty. He stated that he likes this overall proposal; that it is pretty close and that we just need to complete the Administration/Finance area.