HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/05/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session fJSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
MAY 6, 2013
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Susan Sanger, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Sue
Santa, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs and Julia Ross.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Director of Human
Resources (Ms. Deno), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary
(Ms. Hughes).
1. HR Update
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and an update on the reorganization of the Parks
Department and the Public Works Department, in particular the operations and maintenance
functions of these departments, which was reorganized as part of the study conducted over the
winter months. He advised this reorganization was implemented as a result of the City's
aggressive Capital Improvement Plan and significant upcoming projects and as part of the City's
succession planning; in addition, this reorganization will serve to better maximize the operations
and maintenance resources that were previously divided into two separate departments. He
presented an organizational chart for the Operations and Recreation Department, formerly the
Public Works Department, and an organizational chart for the Engineering Department. He
stated that Ms. Walsh will oversee the Operations and Recreation Department noting that the
operations activities in Public Works have now been moved under Ms. Walsh's purview and Ms.
Walsh will continue to oversee the activities of the Parks and Recreation Department. He
indicated Mr. Rardin is now Director of the Engineering Department and he will continue to
focus on the Capital Improvement Plan as well as assist with the transition to the new refuse
contractor. He stated that Mr. Rardin will also be available to work with the new Utilities
Manager and with Mr. Hanson following Mr. Anderson's retirement in June. He advised that
following Ms. Adler's departure, a Water Resources Manager position was created and filled and
the Engineering Program Coordinator position will be responsible for the permitting and traffic
work previously handled by Ms. Adler. He announced that Mr. Olson recently announced his
resignation to take a position as the County Engineer for Becker County. He stated the
reorganization has gone very well and staff will come back to Council at a later date to discuss
the merger of the Parks and Recreation Fund and the General Fund into one fund.
Councilmember Mavity requested further information regarding the Water Resources Manager
position and asked if this position will staff the Environment and Sustainability Commission.
Mr. Harmening explained that the Environment and Sustainability Commission will be housed
under the Operations and Recreation Department under Ms. Walsh's purview and the Water
Resources Manager will work with the Environment and Sustainability Commission.
Ms. Deno advised the City is in the process of recruiting a Fire Chief in light of Mr. Stemmer's
upcoming retirement and the City has hired Brimeyer Fursman to assist in the search. She
indicated the City received approval from the Fire Civil Service Commission and the consultant
will begin the recruitment process and provide the City with the top candidates for interviews.
She stated the interview groups will include City staff, firefighters, Fire Civil Service
Special Study Session Minutes -2- May 6, 2013
Commission members, and others with the top three finalists going through a second round of
interviews and Council will be invited to meet these finalists. She indicated the Fire Civil
Service Commission will certify the list for the City Manager in accordance with Civil Service
Rules and then make determination for hire. The Council needs to give consent to the
appointment. She added this process is expected to take approximately four months, and Mr.
Windschitl will be appointed interim Fire Chief.
Councilmember Mavity requested further information regarding the operational study and
whether further restructuring will be done as a result of that study.
Mr. Harmening stated the operational study consultants found that the operations of the Police
and Fire Departments were very good. He indicated the consultants felt the City could better
leverage its paid on call resources to supplement full time staff and there were some suggestions
made regarding the fire inspection program. He stated Mr. Stemmer has done an exceptional job
of rebuilding the City's relationship with the union and upgrading the Fire Department's
facilities and the new Fire Chief can focus on enhancing emergency operations, e.g., training and
preparedness, as well as the organizational structure of the command staff.
Ms. Deno stated that Ms. Schnitker has been asked by Mr. Locke to sit in on director meetings
and focus on administrative tasks so that Mr. Locke can continue his focus on SW LRT; in
addition, Mr. Walther is assisting Ms. McMonigal and Mr. Morrison. She added as the City goes
through 2014 budget planning, departments will be asked to provide further staffing information
for budget purposes.
Councilmember Mavity reminded staff that Council has made it clear that staff should ask for
additional resources if needed.
Ms. Deno advised that all five of the City's union contracts are open for 2014 negotiation, which
will begin later this year. She reminded Council that the City Manager gives the charge to
negotiate based on budget constraints and urged Council to contact staff if they have any
questions and/or to direct resident questions to her or Mr. Harmening.
The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
NancyStrity Clerk Susan San r, Mayor Pro Tern