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Home My WebLink About1995-04-10city council minutesBook 36 SPECIAL MEETING April 10, 1995 7:30 p.m. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Winder. The Mayor requested that everyone stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Nancolas, Langan, Carpenter, Houchins, Raymond, and Earl. Absent: none. (INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL VISITORS) The Mayor recognized Ron Pollack who was present in the audience. Mayor Winder stated that before proceeding with the next item, he would like to deviate a bit from the Agenda and present a brief history as to where they were and what he hoped would be accomplished at this time. The Mayor proceeded to explain that during the last several months he and the Members of the Council had been struggling with two or three contentious personnel issues which involved job description, authority, and in some cases the philosophical basis for positions. He continued discussing how he felt the Mayor's Assistant should serve and how the Council had good ideas on this issue as well. However, they were unable to agree completely on this subject. The Mayor stated that he would like to propose that a Citizen's Council, Commission or whatever be established composed of five members of the community who would basically be citizens with diverse backgrounds, but who have solid credentials in management of their businesses and personnel. management. The group would be charged with examining this entire issue of job description, Council's express concerns about personnel, grants writing, the issue of how the City can help support them, evaluate applicants for the position, the legal and philosophical issues dividing the Mayor and Council, and then in the final analysis recommend solutions. He further stated that he had discussed this issue and process with the Council President, Garret Nancolas, and they concurred on this approach. After reviewing the Idaho State Code and City Code, the Mayor stated that he would propose that the City Council not appoint anyone to this position while they were following through on this exercise. If Council agrees to this, he would not appoint Robert Vasquez, but would hire him on a day to day basis. The Mayor also stated that he would appoint five citizens to be confirmed by Council. This group would be directed to complete their work by July, but could go into early August. It was important to have the information back for the budget process. In finishing his comments, the Mayor presented some background information regarding Robert Vasquez and read the following Resolution for consideration by the Members of the Council: RESOLUTION BETWEEN THE MA'Y'OR AND THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF THE MAYOR'S ASSISTANT. Page 83 The City Council hereby resolves not to appoint a candidate for the position of Mayor's Assistant during the period in which the five member citizens group is working to prepare a new job description for the position and /or recommending other solutions to the concerns Book 36 expressed by members of the City Council dealing with personnel management, grants writing and assistance to the Council, with the expectation that the group will finish their task no later than July_ The Mayor resolves that adoption of this resolution removes from the Agenda the appointment of Robert Vasquez as the Mayor's Assistant_ Page 84 Councilman Nancolas commented that he and the Mayor met several times during the past couple of weeks to try to come to an understanding between the Mayor's Office and the Members of the Council. There was a rumor that the Council was going to turn down all of the Mayor's appointments and try to bring in someone they wanted. Mr. Nancolas stated that this was not the truth and he wanted to squelch that rumor. It was the Mayor's right to bring his choice to the Council and was also Council's right to refuse. He felt the idea of a committee was a very good idea. He further stated that Council does not have and never did have any thought of trying to force the Mayor into an appointment without following due process. he intent . of this Council.. and every person on the Council as well as the Mayor has been only one thing and that was to improve this community. Councilman Houchins was recognized and said that he felt the Mayor's Assistant was very important to this community. He agreed one hundred percent with the concept of the five members committee that would study what Caldwell needed in the person who fills the position. To go further to make sure it was a balanced committee, Ine would like to see representation from the schools, financial person, the Church community, business community, and a concerned citizen. Mr. Houchins also suggested that the committee have an hour meeting with the Members of the Council and the same with the Mayor and then leave the committee alone to make their recommendations. In addition, he would like them to come back in sixty days or seventy days with this recommendation. There was a great deal of discussion among the Members of the Council including the background of Mr. Vasquez; if there was not an appointment, Council did not have a say in the selection made by the Mayor for his Assistant; the need for personnel and grant writing ability of the position; the salary involved in the hiring of the person selected by the Mayor in the interim. Councilman Nancolas indicated to the Mayor that he was not ready to make an appointment at this time. There was not a job description in place that would serve the community's best interest. He agreed with the concept of a committee and did not believe an appointment should be made until their recommendation was received. Councilwoman Hart stated that she agreed with. all said. However, she d_=..d not want to see a limitation of time for the committee to speak with Council and the Mayor. Her suggestion was to let them make that decision and they be allowed to develop their own rules of operation_ ,After Council remarks, the Mayor asked for input from the public in attendance. The following were recognized: J. C. Campbell, 2412 Robert Avenue; Ray Wolfe, 15336 Lavin; Jan Vinson, Caldwell; Madeline Buckendorf, 1402 Blaine; Ron Pollock, 715 East Pine; Francisco Diet; Robert Vasquez„ 1710 Sandalwood Drive; and Leo Holmes, 2.121 Main Sts Book 36 Mayor Winder expressed his appreciation to those who participated and asked Council if they were prepared to continue with the prepared Agenda. It was MOVED by Nancolas, SECONDED by Earl to remove Item No. 2 on the Agenda as it was already taken care of and to approve the Agenda as amended. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Nancolas, Langan, Carpenter, Houchins, Raymond, and Earl. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (TO CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR'S ASSISTANT) Mayor Winder explained that the next order of business would be to consider the appointment of Mayor's Assistant. The Mayor further stated that as indicated in his preliminary remarks, he was prepared to withdraw that appointment provided the Council agreed to establish a committee as discussed. The Mayor read the Resolution presented earlier in the meeting at the request of the City Council. MOVED by Langan, SECONDED by Nancolas to accept the Resolution as presented by Mayor Winder. Councilman Raymond asked if the five names would be presented to Council at the next Regular City Council, Meeting. The Mayor stated that he would hope so if not sooner. Councilman Nancolas commented that other than one issue, this Council and Mayor have worked very well together over the last year and three months. This was another step showing that they can work together. There was a difference of opinion between Council and the Mayor on occasion. How they respond was what made the difference. He felt this was a very positive step in healing wounds that have occurred. He strongly recommended that the Resolution be approved. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Langan, Carpenter, Houchins, Raymond, Earl, and Nancolas. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED Page 85 Since there was no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. APPROVED AS written `PHIS 1 7th DAY OF April , 1395. Mayor Cou cif r�son Coi cilp son _,,N� 6 - 4, 3,1 Councilperson City Cle k ATTEST: