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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP January 12, 1995 " Li ~"",,","._> Appr-o"eð ~1"11£16 /(J). "":~ CITY of ANDOVER '. . .J."\ 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 '" "', "<"",," SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JANUARY 12, 1995 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on January 12, 1995, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, to conduct interviews of applicants for the Finance Director position. Councilmembers present: Dehn, Knight, Kunza Councilmember absent: Jacobson Also present: City Administrator, Richard Fursman Mr. Fursffian briefly reviewed the screening process done by he and Mr. Sulander. The two candidates this evening are qualified, experienced and appear to be able to handle the position. The position was advertised at a salary range of $45,000 to $50,000, and both candidates have indicated their satisfaction with that range. The Council then conducted separate interviews of Alan J. Rolek and Jean D. Nichols, alternately asking the applicants to describe their work and educational experience relating to the Finance Director position, their approach to dealing with the public and hostile citizens, what they liked most and liked least about their present jobs, why Andover appeals to them, whether there is anything in their background that would prohibit them from fulfilling all aspects of the job, how they would handle two employees under their supervision that are not getting along, to describe a professional or personal achievement they are proud of, to list their strengths they would bring to the job, what is their weakness in the workplace, how they handle stress on the job, their approach to a hypothetical sexual harassment situation, their professional goals that would benefit Andover, who they would most like to meet throughout history and why, and when they would be available to begin work in Andover. Alan J. Rolek - grew up in Northeast Minneapolis; received an Associates Degree from Anoka Ramsey Community College; began working as a bookkeeper for the City of Falcon Heights, working his way up to Deputy Clerk; began taking night classes at Metropolitan State University, earning a Bachelor's Degree with emphasis in finance and public administration three years later; has worked for the City of Shorewood as Finance Director since 1988, responsible for supervising one employee, preparing the City's budget, working closely with the City's management team, the sole investor of the City's $5 million portfolio, and raising the City's bond rating from BAAl to Al while in his position. would be firm but understanding with citizens, calm them down; listen to their complaints, explain the policies to them, help to the extent he can or direct them to those who can handle their problem. Likes the way they work as a team at his present job which allows him to look at things in a broad sense; also likes the variety; least likes the minute details, though that is a part of finance, as he enjoys looking at the broader spectrum. Andover presents a challenge because it is a larger city, a growing community and a step up to a larger position; - -- - - _. .-- I I "........., Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - January 12, 1995 Page 2 growth results in many financial decisions which presents a challenge to him personally. Has no disabilities other than the need for glasses. Would talk with each employee involved in a problem to understand it, then bring those people together to work out a solution. Is proud of obtaining the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officer while at Shorewood because it recognizes the City is putting forth a document with full disclosures to the public; required pulling together fixed assets records, developing 10-year statistical tables that give an analytical view of the City's financial condition; personally is proud of completing college while working full time. Felt his background and knowledge of working in government finance for nearly 17 years is a strength he brings to the City. A weakness is he is his own greatest critic; has worked on that to try to realize that people do make mistakes. To handle stress, he gets away from the problem; has hobbies and enjoys outdoor activities; does not bring the job home with him. In the hypothetical sexual harassment situation, he would try to ascertain the extent of the problem, try to convince the individual to confront it as the best solution; refer to the policies developed in most work places which normally layout the step-by-step process in dealing with those problems; would respect the person's wishes for anonymity. Moving to Andover would be furthering his professional goals as well as bring his background to benefit the City; goals of further education would benefit the City in the long run. In all of history, he would enjoy meeting Christ, a man who was persecuted, yet brought such charisma and light to the world. He would be available to start the job the First of February, certainly the first full week of February. He would not object to contacting his employer for a reference if he is the candidate for the job. He would be able to attend the majority of the City Council meetings. Jean D. Nichols - has her Certified Public Accountant license and is in public accounting working with various cities, often as an interim finance director, checking out accounting problems, handling different projects, or answering questions relating to different accounting needs; has been responsible for payroll, financial statements, the supervision of six to ten people depending on the project, contracts with cities for auditing services; has worked with the different software programs for utilities and billing, enterprise funds, special assessments; has worked with capital projects, bond ratings, auditing of investments, and Tax Increment Financing funds; has not done actual investments but has made sure everything is in safe investments for other cities and has talked with the different brokers. In dealing with angry citizens, she would first let them talk through their anger and frustrations, calm them down and determine the real issue; then handle the situation herself or direct them to the right person. Has dealt with many different clients; and occasionally someone will not like what she is doing, so she must be tactful but very direct. Enjoys getting to deal with many different personalities and the variety of her position; least enjoys the continual movement to different sites as opposed to one location with the same people on a continual basis. Finds Andover appealing because it is developing and expanding; finds the challenge of that growth appealing; enjoys the small community and that atmosphere, which is different than living in Minneapolis. Would try to determine the real --- ~_._-- ...... Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - January 12, 1995 Page 3 problem between employees who do not get along, first on an individual basis, perhaps pinpointing something specific to work on; telling them they have to get along if all else fails. Is proud that she got her CPA license, which has helped her professionally; is proud to be in the public accounting sector where she has learned the different aspects of accounting and worked with many different people. Finds her strength as the ability to get along with people and create an atmosphere where people get along, bringing the team concept to the workplace. Could not think of anything that would prevent her from doing all aspects of the job. Has been told a weakness is continuing to work when she should be going home. Handles stress by walking, taking a deep breath, going to the gym, and working out. In a hypothetical sexual harassment situation, she would document everything, then go to the personnel manual to determine the exact procedure, making sure everything is investigated and handled appropriately according to the regulations. Felt her professional goal of getting a Master's Degree would bring further education and knowledge of government to Andover. She would be available to start work after giving two weeks' notification to her present employer. She'd prefer to let them know she's applied for this job before the City contacts her supervisor for a reference. Enjoys classical music; and of all the historical people, she would most like to meet Bach. Would have no problem attending Council meetings as needed and would plan to move closer to Andover if selected for this position. This position appeals to her because she has been working with many cities and would like to get more involved on a day-to-day basis. With her experience of being able to jump into the different situations of many other cities, she felt she could do Andover a lot of good. The Council and Mr. Fursman spent some time discussing the qualifications of each candidate, their present salary, and the strengths each would bring to the City. The Council then felt comfortable offering the position to Ms. Nichols. MOTION by Knight, Seconded by Dehn, that we offer the job to Jean Nichols at a salary of $45,000; and after successfully completing a six- month probationary period, increase the salary to $47,000. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, I-Absent (Jacobson) vote. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Fursman explained he has placed an exit interview with Mr. Sulander on the January 17 Council agenda. Mayor McKelvey also reported on the Planning Commission's public hearing held January 10 on the Snowmobile Ordinance and the recommendation to form a task force to review the problem with snowmobiles. MOTION by Knight, Seconded by Dehn, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, I-Absent (Jacobson) vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. fV\~7i~~ Mar~~ A. Peach, Recording Secretary -- - - .-- ----"