HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 7/27/2004 * PLEASE NOTE: Since the Glendale City Council does not take formal action at
the Workshops; Workshop minutes are not approved by the City Council.
MINUTES
CITY OF GLENDALE
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSHOP
July 27, 2004
5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, Vice Mayor Thomas R. Eggleston, and
Councilmembers Joyce V. Clark, Steven E. Frate, David M. Goulet,
H. Phillip Lieberman, and Manuel D. Martinez
ALSO PRESENT: Ed Beasley, City Manager; Pam Kavanaugh, Assistant City
Manager; Jon Paladini, Interim City Attorney; and Pamela Hanna,
City Clerk
1. DISCUSSION CONCERNING SEARCH FOR NEW CITY ATTORNEY
CITY STAFF PRESENTING THIS ITEM: Ms. Alma Carmicle, Human Resources
Director and Mr. Jim Mercer, President, The Mercer Group.
This is a request for the City Council to discuss and provide direction to the City
Manager and the Human Resources Director, regarding the recruitment and recruitment
brochure for the position of City Attorney.
The recommendation was to provide the City Manager and Human Resources Director
with direction regarding the recruitment to fill the position of City Attorney.
Ms. Carmicle stated she sent each Councilmember copies of the text for the
Recruitment Brochure on Friday and Mr. Mercer submitted a draft brochure today.
Mayor Scruggs asked if the draft brochure includes any changes to the text. Ms.
Carmicle explained the brochure reflects the layout and the text hasn't changed.
Councilmember Goulet asked if any of Council's suggestions will be incorporated and, if
so, when will the revised version be available. Ms. Carmicle explained their plan is to
incorporate all of Council's comments and submit a final brochure for approval when
Council returns in September. She clarified the search will begin while Council is on
break. Councilmember Clark noted the purpose of having the Special Workshop today
was so the search could begin while Council was on break.
Councilmember Goulet pointed out the introduction to the city indicates the city is
currently experiencing fast growth, stating he believes the growth has slowed. He
suggested they clarify what is meant by some of the desired qualities listed. He
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expressed his opinion some of the desired qualities listed are redundant, while others,
such as the ability to use a computer, are a given.
Councilmember Clark stated the text is too all encompassing; suggesting they state the
successful candidate will be a working attorney who possesses three or four of the most
essential qualities. She said, in her opinion, the fact that the person will have to be a
working attorney is one of the most critical aspects of the position.
Mayor Scruggs agreed with Councilmember Clark. She pointed out the essential
qualities identified by the Council were listed under the "Ideal Candidate", rather than
"Essential Functions". She said, twice, the brochure states the person will be part of the
Management Team, but it does not state the person will also work for the Council.
Councilmember Clark referred to pages three and four of the brochure, stating she felt
some of the qualities listed can be assumed given the position, but that more emphasis
should be given to being a working attorney who has experience in land use, labor and
contract law, Arizona water, annexation, eminent domain, personnel, personal injury,
construction, and housing. Ms. Carmicle explained their intent was to provide as much
information as possible and for Council to decide how the brochure should ultimately be
structured. She said essential functions came directly from the job specification,
whereas the ideal candidate was taken from the list of qualities the Council identified.
Mayor Scruggs said they do not have time to entertain candidates who do not have the
essential qualities the Council seeks. She suggested, therefore, they emphasize the
essential functions of the position.
Councilmember Martinez and Vice Mayor Eggleston both indicated they were
uncomfortable with the language concerning the Phoenix Coyotes and Cardinals.
Mayor Scruggs agreed, stating, while their presence in Glendale is important, they do
not define the city. Councilmember Martinez suggested they also indicate the attorney
may be required to attend neighborhood meetings.
Mayor Scruggs expressed her opinion Luke Air Force Base and the city's historic
downtown are key defining factors and should be given more emphasis within the
brochure.
Vice Mayor Eggleston pointed out the brochure calls for the successful candidate to
have experience in all facets of the legal field at the local government level and to be a
leader and member of the key management team of the city. He and Mayor Scruggs
both agreed the sentence implies the candidate must already be a leader in the city's
management team. Vice Mayor Eggleston also pointed out the sentence that states the
individual should have a strong municipal background, a license to practice in Arizona
and several year's of experience in municipal government is redundant.
Councilmember Lieberman disagreed, stating he likes the sentence as written.
Councilmember Lieberman suggested they add that the person will be a leader of the
key management team, under the guidance of the City Council.
Mayor Scruggs stated it is imperative that the candidates understand that they must
have the essential qualities the city is seeking. She said Luke Air Force Base should be
given at least as much emphasis as the sports venues.
Councilmember Martinez asked how they would be able to judge whether a candidate
is respected by his or her peers. Ms. Carmicle said the city would be able to make such
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judgment through the candidates' references.
Councilmember Lieberman suggested they add that Glendale is the home of Luke Air
Force Base and that experience with military base issues is vital.
Councilmember Frate said he couldn't stress enough the importance of the person
being a working attorney rather than an administrator.
Mayor Scruggs pointed out the text on the first page, with the exception of Position, is
capitalized.
Councilmember Clark stated she is uncomfortable with characterizing Glendale as one
of the fastest growing metro cities, stating Glendale is becoming a more mature
community with many diverse components.
Mayor Scruggs pointed out growth has been below two percent for the last three years.
Mr. Paladini explained labor law typically refers to unions and collective bargaining,
asking if the Council meant employment law, labor law or employment and labor law.
Mayor Scruggs said both employment and labor law.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
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