HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-2017 Work SessionMeeting of:
Date of Meeting:
Time of Meeting:
Location of Meeting:
Purpose of Meeting:
CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:14 PM
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
January 3, 2017
7:00 PM (Following the EDA Meeting)
Conference Room #1
WORKSESSION
Present: Mayor Schmitt, Councilmembers Murzyn Jr, Williams and Buesgens
Also Present: Walt Fehst; City Manager, Kelli Bourgeois; Human Resource Director /Assistant to the City
Manager, Joe Kloiber; Finance Director and Katie Bruno; City Clerk
1. Review of Application and Interview questions for council vacancy.
Human Resource Director /Assistant to the City Manager Kelli Bourgeois distributed a draft application
and (confidential) interview questions.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. asked if the interviews are open to the public. Mayor Schmitt indicated it
is her understanding that the interviews are to open. City Manager Fehst stated he would check on the
requirements.
Mayor Schmitt clarified that the only set questions are to be asked. Bourgeois indicated that is correct,
noting candidates can provide clarification if necessary. The council suggested possibly scheduling
interviews on March 2nd and 3rd
2. Discussion regarding vacancies on Planning & Zoning Commission and Library Board.
The council requested interviews be scheduled with the four candidates on Monday January 23`d;
beginning at 6:00 PM.
3. Discuss Designation of Legal Newspaper for 2017.
City Clerk Katie Bruno reported the City has received submittals from the Anoka County Record and
Sun Media (Sun Focus). Bruno indicated the Anoka County Record does not meet the City's
requirement for a legal newspaper; therefore the Sun Focus is the recommendation.
Councilmember Buesgens and Murzyn, Jr. stated delivery of the Focus is inconsistent. Bourgeois
suggested customer service be contacted if inconsistencies continue.
Mayor Schmitt questioned the interest revenue lost related to the publishing error in the 2016
assessment hearings. Finance Director Joe Kloiber clarified staff recommendation and council approval
was to forego interest for one year. Kloiber indicated staff intends to contact Sun Focus in order to
discuss compensation for the loss of revenue due to the administrative error. Kloiber stated he will
provide the council with the total spent on official publication notices, as well as the foregone interest.
Mayor Schmitt questioned the statement that the Anoka County Record fails to meet the requirements
of a legal newspaper. City Manager Fehst stated that the delivery requirements fall short of the
required number. Mayor Schmitt stated she would like to know how many residents read the paper
online and suggested it be reviewed if a survey is done in the future.
4. Discuss Appointment of Council Liaisons and Staff Assignments to City Boards & Commissions
and External Boards.
Councilmember Williams indicated he would like to serve on the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement
Council . Mayor Schmitt noted that is a mayoral duty. Councilmember Williams requested to be the
liaison to the Columbia Heights School District.
Mayor Schmitt recommended the council get involved in various League of MN Cities committees.
City Manager Fehst requested to be an alternate for the League of MN Cities as well as Metro Cities.
Mayor Schmitt asked the council to deliver a report at each council meeting on their respective
commission /committees.
S. Discuss Appointment of Council President.
Mayor Schmitt recommended Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. serve as Council President for 2017.
Councilmember Williams agreed.
Citizen comments:
Sean Broom requested the interview questions for the vacant council seat be public, in order to allow
the candidates the opportunity to review the questions. Kelli Bourgeois indicated that is not standard
policy for employment interviews. Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. commented that if the interviews are
open to the public, some of the candidates could obtain the questions in advance of their interview.
Councilmember Buesgens said she would like to see spontaneity in responses. City Manager Walt
Fehst stated he will check on the open meeting laws regarding the interviews.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:12 PM
Respectively Submitted,
Katie Bruno, Council Secretary /City Clerk