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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP November 5, 1981 ~ 01 ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - NOVEMBER 5, 1981 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jerry Windschit1 on November 5, 1981, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover Public Services Building, Crosstown Boulevard, Anoka Minnesota, for the purpose of interviewing applicants for the City Engineer/Public Works Director position. Councilmen present: Jacobson, Lachinski, Orttel, Peach Councilmen absent: None Also present: City Clerk, P. K. Lindquist The following applicants were interviewed: Kenneth Gust, Charles Hubbard, and Jim Schrantz. Councilmen asked various questions of the applicants including experience, familiarity with various types of engineering projects, experience in the public works area, management ability, conflict of interest, minimum salary, etc. KENNETH GUST * He reviewed his resume, feeling he had a diversified background of experience relating to municipal engineering, including ten years of Federal Government experience. During his year with a consulting engineering firm, he dealt primani1y with small municipalities. He is familiar with several of the municipalities in the Twin Cities area, their staffs, councils, etc. He has not worked specifically for any city government, so there will have to be scmethi ngs to learn. But he stated he is aware of what is going on and looks forward to the challenge. * He was not familiar with the number 429 procedure, but he has worked with those types of projects. * He stated he has not had any experience in the public works area, but is aware of the existence of city utilities. He felt with his experience in management that he would be able to supervise the public works department. He had a lot of experience in management in project development, assigning various tasks to people, coordinating the projects, and the overseeing of those tasks. He also has had experience keeping track of time and charges on various jobs and on budgeting. And he has done bid estimates. * Mr. Gust stated he left the smaller communities after learning the engineering procedures, looking to more of a full city ,¡development possibility. * In talking about his outside activities, he hoped there would be some room for negotiation to allow him to continue working on his alternate engergy projects. He had devoted quite a bit of time and effort into this development, and he would like to continue in it. Also, he has contractors and feels some responsibility to those people he has dealt with. At this point, he was unsure what to propose until he learns more about the position, the number of hours that would be required of him, and the salary. * He was with the Federal Government for seven years at two different locations; but subsequent positions were held for two- to three-year periods. As the job description is now, he would consider that maybe two to three years is what it is, but he didn't know the development potential for Andover. Possibly after that time period there would be enough changes that he wouldn't have to leave in order to get another position. * Mr. Gust stated he has been exposed to just about everything -- supervising the construction of various phases of earth moving, water and sewer installation, keeping time and materials records, and curb and gutter and street construction. He was the engineer of the developer in a Burnsvi11e project. ~ -~. ~ --._~~.-- -- Special City Council Meeting November 5, 1981 - Minutes Page 2 (Kenneth Gust Interview, Continued) * He lives in Coon Rapids and would not like to relocate, feeling Andover is a relatively close distance from there. He also has no experience in fire fighting and would not be interested in joining the Fire Department unless something stood out that interested him. * Discussion returned to Mr. Gust's involvement in alternate energy forms. Mr. Gust stated over the last year he has made himself completely available to the project. But with an engineering position, he would make evening contacts and work during his extra time. Once the project goes ahead, he won't have much time involved in it, as he is doing primarily the feasibility and coordinating. * Though he was not familiar with the job description, he hoped there could be a position open for a technician to take care of the drafting and on-the-spot inspections and that he would be the problem solver and evaluator, overlooking the plans to see that they conform to the City standards. He didn't know the additional requirements for the Director of Public Works. He doesn't intend that he would be moving on in two or three years, explaining that in two of his previous positions he was laid off because of the recessions and lack of work by the firms. He would plan on staying unless he felt things were not progressing where only routine maintenance was done, and it was no longer very challenging. * Mr. Gust stated he is not aware of anything that would put him in conflict with the City of Andover if hired. * He stated he would ask the Council's feeling of him being able to receive calls from some of his extra activities during the normal working week. * After the Council reviewed some of the responsibilities he would have and the potential projects in the City, Mr. Gust stated those types of jObs are what he had hoped for. He wouldn't mind running a transit or other work that needs to be done, but he hoped there would not be that great an amount of that kind of work and that there might be more of a challenge in the professional area. * He has seen graders run frequently and has made recommendations to solve drainage problems. But plowing roads in the winter is not something he would want to do. He would be willing to develop the procedure. * Discussion was on the hours required of this position, with Mr. Gust suggesting some flexibility in the hours worked might be a consideration. He is proposing it would be a full-time position. If he would be required to put in more work hours a week, he proposed a salary of $32,000 to $35,000, although he didn't know the benefit package and the availability of a vehicle. He would have no trouble attending meetings one even i ng a week. Because he has some of his own benefits taken care of, he stated he would be willing to work on a fee basis without any benefits rather than salary, suggesting a trià1 period of three to six months; but he would expect some minimum amount per month. If the salary was based on a 30-hour week, the minimum salary would be in the area of $28,000 to $30,000. He would be reluctant to work for less than $20,000 as he is looking for something more stable in his engineering profession. * Mr. Gust also stated he was aware of some of the problems the City faces relative to the landfill and hazardous waste, feeling the problem solving in those areas is something he would welcome. He has done soil analysis mostly for construction purposes. CHARLES HUBBARD * Mr. Hubbard explained while in Coon Rapids he did all types of municipal engineering, getting involved in the design, specifications, feasibility studies, and assessments. He also reviewed plats and did capital improvement estimates. He worked f' . .., Special City Council Meeting November 5, 1981 - Minutes Page 3 (Charles Hubbard Interview, Continued) with the Safety Commission as staff 1iason on a bond issue to put in about 11 or 12 miles of sidewalks, and as a 1iason between the city and the Cable TV Advisory Committee. He was then at Mounds View for two years in the capacity of City Engineer and Public Works Director and was instrumental in creating a Citizen's Task Force to make recommendations on solving the city's storm water problems. After that, he went to work for a consulting engineering firm, BRW, and took over two of their clientele as the city engineer on a consulting basis. In that capacity, he oversaw significant sewer development which he did the design for, took bids, etc., and worked on the installation of a water system with well and pumphouse. He also reviewed plats. Mr. Hubbard also reviewed some of the other projects he has worked on while an engineer for BRW. * Mounds View did have an MSAH program, but it was just being implemented about the time he left, explaining the problems of allocated funds for small cities and the limited projects that can be done with them. * He did a little drafting, design, and field work while at Coon Rapids. He has also been involved in sanitary sewer, water, storm sewer, and street constructions. * He has had supervisory experience, in charge of about a dozen people while in Mounds View, mainly in Public Works. * He feels the departments of engineerIHgandpub1ic works are very compatible. He did a lot of writing specifications for the purchase of public works equipment. * In supervising the public works department, he felt at first he would be more involved on the site to get a feeling for what is happening. After awhile he would like to keep records of manhours on certain tasks to get an idea of how long it takes to do certain functions, explaining how he set up a simi1iar system in Mounds View. * He left Coon Rapids for Mounds View because it was a step up from assistant to department head, and left Mounds View because it was a financial improvement to go to BRW. He is now laid off at BRW because of the lack of work by the firm, and he is in the process of looking for other employment. With the status of the economy, he felt municipal work is probably the most secure; and he has had quite a bit of experience in it. He would like to continue in this area. He didn't think there was any area of engineering that he would be uncomfortable with in the normal municipal area. He wouldn't be too uncomfortable with parks, but didn't feel qualified to do structural engineering. * When leaving the cities of Coon Rapids and Mounds View, he felt he was in good standing with the staffs and councils and would not hesitate to have any of them contacted for references. * Mr. Hubbard stated he would be willing to serve on the fire department if he could pass the physical. * He stated he is comfortable working with public works employees. He felt he had a very good relationship with the public works people and didn't feel it would be a problem supervising public works here. * When doing projects, he enjoys getting involved, frequently visits the sites, and has done staking. * He stated there is nothing that would put him in conflict with the City if he were hired. Special City Council Meeting November 5, 1981 - Minutes Page 4 (Charles Hubbard Interview, Continued) * Mr. Hubbard felt an adequate salary would be between $27,000 to $30,000, noting there are certain advantages of being as close to his residence, that being ten minutes away. In Mounds View he worked 50 to 60 hours a week plus carried a beeper for public works for emergencies. It was his responsibility to determine whether someone should be called to the problem or to take care of it himself. He was also attending two to three meetings a week and would have no problem attending the evening meetings that would be required. * Discussion returned to the relationship he had with public works employees on previous jobs, with Mr. Hubbard stating if there ever was a problem of animosity or whatever, he never sensed it. He stated he has never had many problems and usually was able to resolve any conflicts. He thought that in Mounds View he involved the staff more in the decision-making process, which he felt helped relations. * When attending late evening meetings, some places feel coming in at 9 or 9:30 the next morning for work is acceptable; however, this would have to be discussed. * He would have to obtain a Class B license before he would be able to plow snow in the winters. * Brief discussion with Mr. Hubbard was on the development of the City, the problems with the landfill and hazardous wastes, etc. JAMES SCHRANTZ * Mr. Schrantz felt that with his background, the work to do in the City plus supervising the Public Works Department would be challenging for him because as a city grows, the individual becomes farther away from the activities. When there are more activities, one is more involved. There would be a variety of things in Andover. * Community Development Director involved being in charge of planning engineering and building the department in Blaine. At one time he was the whole department for planning, but then he had under him another engineer, two technicians, a secretary, and two planning coordinators. The structure was reorganized in Blaine to make public works and its planning separate from the engineering department and community development planning. * They didn't do much outside work and delegated the surveying. The Blaine engineers also did projects with their own crews when the jobs weren't feasible because the contractors' bids were too high. * He left the City of Blaine because the City Manager and him had a different philosophy in management on how to run the department. He wasn't convinced the community development and engineering should be together. It was more of a job than one person could handle. He was in that position for a year, and he has not been with Blaine for three weeks now. * Mr. Schrantz stated he has had experience in the public works area, has graded roads, spent ten years 'with the highway department, has driven snowplows, etc. * Because he has been in city government, he is aware of the attendance at evening meetings. He stated he has attended P & Z meetings and council meetings and would have no problem attending whatever meetings are required. It was his opinion that an employee should be at the office at 8 o'clock the morning after evening meetings unless the meeting is exceptionally late. But then notice should be given to the staff as to when he would be in and why he will be late. -..., Special City Council Meeting November 5, 1981 - Minutes Page 5 (James Schrantz Interview, Continued) * He left Maple Grove for a position in Blaine because it was a promotion for him. He also had a difference in philosophy with the Mayor of Maple Grove, as the Mayor had asked him to do some things he felt were unethical. He didn't feel he had any problems with the Blaine city council. * Mr. Schrantz stated he worked with the firm of Bonestroo, Rosene, and Ander1ik before and would have no problem working with the firm or with Otto Bonestroo. He also knew of John Davidson of TKOA but has never worked with him before. * He felt that age might be against him for joining the fire department. * Discussion returned to the disagreement between him and the Blaine City Manager. He stated the manager was not satisfied with the way he was running the department, as he has a different style. Mr. Schrantz stated he believes in developing the people under him and using their talents, trying to get more out of them. * He felt that project costs were usually comparable to what was estimated except where there were changes made in the project or where it took too long because of the contractor. One of the last jobs assessed, hypothetical numbers were used because the assessment policy had been changed; but normally the jobs have been pretty good. Normally they used about 25 percent overhead on their jobs. * When the structure was changed to put engineering and planning disciplines together, his work changed in that he was no longer with public works and their problems. He no longer supervised the maintenance or personnel portion of public works, but he still dealt with the projects and did engineering services. * He stated there is nothing that would put him in conflict with the City if he were hired as an employee. · D'"",,',, ." th" " ¡h't th, p"1t1,, .ith th, City .,old i",l" "d " a minimum salary. Council note the person would probably answer to the Council, but the City is looking for someone who would work with the City Clerk and who has the ability to direct and run the e~gineering and public works departments. Council also reviewed some of the projects t at he may be involved in, some of the City's develop- ment policies, and some of the rustrations with previous engineers. Mr. Schrantz stated that whatever happens, t e Council will be kept informed and told about mistakes, changes, etc. It was also his pinion that the staff and consultants have to work together and help each other-out * Mr. Schrantz also noted that when Blaine did a project, it was assessed the same as if a consulting firm had don it, although the overall costs usually were less than if the project had been bi out. They didn't try to save money on engineering projects, but usually the costs were less than if it had been bid out. He also felt it is more important to get qUal!ity construction, but that is the least recognized portion of a project. By looking at the budget over the years, it doesn't show the quality of the projects except t at a quality project will have less costs for repairs. * Mr. Schrantz felt the mi imum salary he would consider would be $32,000 yearly. * He also stated if he wor ed for the City, he would expect to work for the entire Council and expect the orders to come from the Council at meetings. He felt all Councilmembers should be treated equally and receive the same information. If the Council would disagree with his recommendations and order something done another way, he would work to implement whatever is approved. He also didn't feel he would have any problem working with the City Clerk. - - . , . ." . .. Special City Council Meeting November 5, 1981 - Minutes Page 6 Recess at 9:42; reconvene at 9:45 p.m. Council deliberation was on the qualifications of the applicants and the salaries. The Clerk also read her notes of a telephone conversation for a reference for Charles Hubbard. After some discussion on the references of the applicants, the choice was narrowed to Charles Hubbard and James Schrantz. The strengths and weaknesses of each and the minimum salaries asked by each were also reviewed. Every- one then agreed that Mr. Schrantz would be the first choice if an agreeable salary could be negotiated. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Peach, that we offer the job of City Engineer/Public Works Director to Mr. James Schrantz at the yearly renumeration of $30,000 with a six-month probationary period; and with the satisfactory completion of the six-month probationary period, the salary will increase to a yearly salary of $32,000, subject after that period to the normal yearly salary increase range. Motion carried unanimously. CREEKSIDE PLAT/DISCUSSION Council discussion was on the material received that the Federal agencies have decided not to grant FHA or GI loans for development in the plat because of their concern for potential water problems because of the nearby location of the landfill and hazardous waste problems in the vacinity of the Heidelberger property. The question was how this would affect future development in the City where municipal water would not be required. It was also felt that the reports leading up to that decision did not show the problem was that severe and questioned the interpretation by the Federal agencies, feeling the backup material for the decision should be provided the City. Discussion also noted that the landfill site designated by the County between Andover and Coon Rapids was certified by MPCA as a potential landfill. That being the case, it was felt the City should consider ordinances to provide control over such a landfill and to generate income from it. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Orttel, that we authorize the City Clerk to write a letter to Mr. Tom Fennel of HUD requesting of him an explanation of his decision on the Creekside Plat in the City of Andover, and request of Mr. Fennel any and all technical background information which HUD used in making the determination they did. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Peach, that we authorize the Andover City Attorney to initiate an investigation into the possibility of the City of Andover taxing in some manner any new landfills located within the City and any natural rights or any mineral or generating rights the City could claim, such tax could be a yearly tax, ton age tax, etc. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Peach, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~-cC2L Mar 11a A. Peach Recor 9 Secretary , ..."