02-12-02 CC Minutes Special Meeting Special Meeting
of the
City Council
February 12, 2002
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special meeting of the City Council of the City of
Golden Valley, Hennepin County, Minnesota was held at 7800 Golden Valley Road in said
City on February 12, 2002 at 6:35 p.m.
The following members were present: Grayson, Johnson, LeSuer, Loomis and Tremere.
Also present were: William Joynes, City Manager; Allen Barnard, City Attorney; and
Patricia Butler, Administrative Secretary.
Authorization to Siqn Amended Emplovment Aqreement for Citv Manaqer
Mayor Loomis gave the background information and the points on the Amended
Employment Agreement for the City Manager, which calls for the City Manager to continue
in his capacity until June 30, 2002, and then opened it up for discussion. Council Member
Johnson said that if no manager has been hired by June 30, 2002, Mr. Joynes would be
retained if need be, but by mutual agreement. She stated her preference that no "interim"
manager be hired because of issues of continuity. Council Member LeSuer said the
Council owes Mr. Joynes a great deal of gratitude for moving things along last week by
presenting his amended employment agreement. Mayor Loomis read the terms of the new
agreement for the benefit of the viewing audience. William Joynes answered questions
from the Council.
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by LeSuer to sign the employment agreement with the City
Manager.
The motion was delayed to allow further discussion by the Council.
Council Member Tremere suggested that the item of authorizing independent legal counsel
be discussed first, as he thought the Council shouldn't sign any contract until an
independent party has reviewed it. He said he was hesitant about signing the contract
because he doesn't know if the agreement is "fine" without benefit of independent legal
counsel.
Council Member Grayson stated he thought this agreement seemed straightforward and
would recommend signing it, and Council Member Johnson concurred. Council Member
LeSuer stated he understood Council Member Tremere's thoughts about independent legal
counsel, but agreed that the contract seems straightforward and doesn't feel signing it
should be delayed.
Mayor Loomis stated she felt it wouldn't hurt to retain independent legal counsel, but said
she could support signing the agreement.
Special City Council Meeting
February 12, 2002
Page 2
Authorization to Siqn Amended Emplovment Aqreement for Citv Manaqer -
Continued
Council Member Tremere questioned the City Manager about whether this contract length
would get him to his retirement date, and the Manager stated it would not. Council Member
Tremere then stated he didn't like the contract because it would allow the Manager to work
until June 30, 2002, and then allow him to use up his accrued vacation time and part of his
accrued sick time, and still accrue more vacation and sick time during that period. He felt
that would mean the City Manager would be on the payroll in perpetuity and there would
never be an end to the contract. The City Manager explained how his vacation and sick
time are figured and placed in his "account" and that there would, indeed, be an end.
Council Member Tremere reiterated his desire to hire an independent legal counsel to
review the latest contract and Mr. Joynes said if that happened, he would then take this
agreement off the table and bring back his original proposed contract.
Council Member LeSuer stated the Council should move on this present contract
agreement tonight as it is a good deal for the City Council, the City Manager, and the City
at large.
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by LeSuer and motion carried unanimously to sign the
employment agreement with City Manager William Joynes and to rescind the December
18, 2001 proposed agreement. Upon a roll call vote, the vote was as follows:
GRAYSON - YES JOHNSON - YES LESUER - YES LOOMIS - YES TREMERE - YES
MOVED by Tremere, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to request
staff be directed to have the minutes reflect their complete discussion.
Citv Manaqer Search Process
The Council was provided with copies of Request for Proposals from the cities of Eden
Prairie and Minnetonka, to show the process they went through to hire their Managers, as a
guide for this Council. Council Member Johnson said she would like to see the entire
Council involved in the final process when they decide exactly what qualifications they are
looking for in a new Manager.
Council Members Grayson and Johnson agreed to research various search firms that could
be used to help find a new manager. They will report back to the full Council at the
February 19, 2002 City Council Meeting on their preliminary findings. Mayor Loomis
clarified that the Council is looking at this time, for just possible search firms, and not
specifics on criteria for a manager.
Special City Council Meeting
February 12, 2002
Page 3
Authorizinq Independent Leqal Counsel
Since the City Council had already agreed to sign the City Manager's Amended
Employment Agreement, this item was no longer necessary and thus the Council didn't
discuss Resolution 02-13, Resolution Authorizing Independent Legal Counsel.
Adiournment
MOVED by Tremere, seconded by Grayson and motion carried unanimously to adjourn the �'�
meeting at 7:20 p.m.
C/'n-Cc�t� o� .
Linda R. Loomis, Mayor
ATTEST:
,
� �. ' �
Patricia J. Butler, dm istrative Secretary