10-22-1987 CC MIN - SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL OCTOBER 22. 1987 4It Members present: Mayor Estelle Gunkel. Councilmembers Tralle. Dobel. Schuldt e e Members ab sent: Counc ilmember Holmgren Staff present: City Administrator. Patrick Klaers. Finance Director. Lori Johnson Also present: Ken Nielson of BDS. Inc.. Economic Development Consultant Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Gunkel. Mayor Gunkel stated that the purpose of the meeting was to interview the two finalists for the Community Development Coordinator position. These two individuals that are to be interviewed before the City Council are Jeffrey Gongoll and Steven Kaukola. Mr. Gongoll is to be interviewed at approximately 6:30 p.m. followed by Mr. Kaukola at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Council then reviewed the format for the interviews and discussed the potential interview questions. Mr. Gongoll was interviewed at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Kaukola was interviewed at 7:30 p.m. Following the interviews of the two candidates. the City Council discussed the issue of only having two applicants to consider and interview for this position. It was noted that two other finalists for this position had removed their names from the list of applicants to be considered for this position. At this time. it was the consensus of the Council that both applicants appear to be qualified for the position. but concern was still expressed over not being able to hire an employee from a larger field of interviewees. The Council discussed the issue of readvertising for this position to review the quality of applicants. Concerns over readvertising for the position included the time frame for the hiring of an individual and whether a different title needed to be used in the readvertisement. It was aknowledged by the Council that the major duties of this position relate to Economic Development. and that it may be relevant to readvertise this position as an Economic Development Coordinator. Because of the time factor and the concern that both finalists may not be available at a later date. the Council decided to proceed with considering to hire one of the two applicants that were interviewed. The Council further discussed the issue of Councilmember Holmgren being absent from the interviews because he was ill. The concern of the Council included the lack of a unanimous vote on one candidate and the role of Councilmember Holmgren in the decision of who to hire without being present for any of the interviews. Discussion included having each candidate meet with Councilmember Holmgren on a one to one basis. or inviting both candidates back for a follow-up interview. The Council directed the Economic Development Consultant to do a complete and thorough background check on both of the applicants that were interviewed. Concern was expressed about reference checks from current employers and the Consultant was directed to not contact current employers of the two applicants for references.