HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-02-2017 Council Vacancy InterviewsMeeting of: COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
Date of Meeting: March 2, 2017
Time of Meeting: 4:00 PM
Location of Meeting: Council Chambers
Purpose of Meeting: Interview of Candidates for Vacancy on the City Council
CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL - The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM
Present: Mayor Schmitt, Councilmembers Murzyn Jr, Williams and Buesgens
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois; Human Resource Director /Assistant to the City Manager,
James Hoeft; City Attorney
Mayor Schmitt announced the first order of business would be to discuss whether or not to broadcast
the interviews live. Kelli Bourgeois, Human Resource Director /Assistant to the City Manager stated that
the council can decide as a group if they want the interviews video recorded for live broadcast, future
broadcast, internet playback, audio recorded or not recorded at all.
Councilmember Buesgens stated she would feel comfortable with video recording for future playback.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. stated he would prefer it not be videotaped for live broadcast.
Councilmember Williams agreed with Murzyn, Jr. City Attorney Hoeft explained the legal record of the
meeting is the minutes.
Mayor Schmitt explained the interviews are subject to the open meeting laws, and she would prefer the
meeting be broadcast live.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Mayor Schmitt to audio and video record the meeting
for rebroadcast at a future date. 2 Ayes: 2 Nays, Motion Failed. Ayes: Schmitt and Buesgens. Nays:
Williams and Murzyn, Jr.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. stated he is not in favor of videotaping at all. Mayor Schmitt stated it would
be helpful to the council to have a video to look back on as they deliberate. Councilmember Williams
indicated that open meeting laws do not require video recording. Councilmember Buesgens indicated
people look to the internet for their information. Mayor Schmitt said she has had numerous requests
from the public to have the interviews available via video.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens to video record for playback on
Channel 16 and video on demand. 2 Ayes: 1 Nay: 1 Abstention, Motion Failed. Ayes: Schmitt and
Buesgens. Nays: Williams. Abstention: Murzyn, Jr.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens to video record for playback for Council
Review. 3 Ayes: 1 Abstention, Motion Carried.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens to amend the schedule, moving Ted
Landwehr to 7:20 PM. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
City Council Interviews
March 2, 2017
Page 2 of 3
Mayor Schmitt explained each applicant will have 15 minutes to respond to the following eight
questions, and ask additional questions if time permits.
1. What two issues would you like to see addressed during your term on the City Council and
why?
2. Describe the duties of a City Council.
3. Tell us what your top three City priorities are. Why are these priorities for you?
4. At what level do you see your leadership style?
Ground level (day to day) .......... 10,000 feet........ 20,000 feet....... 30,000 feet (policy creation)
5. On a scale of 1 to 20 years where do you think the City's planning horizon should be?
1 year ..................5 years ...................... 10 years ...................... 15 years ....................... 20 years
6. Rate your personality style on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being very passive & 5 being very
aggressive.
7. Imagine you are at the local grocery store when a resident stops you to discuss their
displeasure with the fact that the City allowed a business they feel is inappropriate to locate in
their neighborhood. The resident wants to know why the City did this and what you can do to
make it go away. You are aware of the business and the licensing process but do not have the
details on why the business was allowed to locate there. What do you say to the resident?
What, if anything, do you do next?
8. Why should the City Council appoint you to this vacancy?
Tim Fitze
The interview began at 4:20.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to recess. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Tim Utz
The interview began at 4:40.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to recess. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Stan Hoium
The interview began at 5:01.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams to recess. All Ayes, Motion
Carried.
Denelle Bing
The interview began at 5:20.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens to recess. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
City Council Interviews
March 2, 2017
Page 3 of 3
Jerome Klein
The interview began at 5:41.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to recess. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Frost Simula
The interview began at 6:01.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens to recess. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Tammera Diehm
The interview began at 6:21.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to recess. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Christine Nelson
The interview began at 6:41.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to recess. All Ayes, Motion Carried,
Catherine Vesley
The interview began at 7:02.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens to recess. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Ted Landwehr
The interview began at 7:22.
Mayor Schmitt requested Public Comments be limited to three minutes.
Amada Simula -1700 49th Ave NE spoke in support of Frost Simula, stating he is passionate about
Columbia Heights, and will follow through on ideas.
Corey Benson - 40215th St NE described Frost Simula as honest, creative and willing to help.
Gregory Sloat -4731 6th St NE reported Tim Utz wants the people of Columbia Heights to be heard. He
worked on the library referendum in 2014.
Ramona Andreson -4132 Stinson Blvd described Tim Utz as a phenomenal problem solver, who is
dedicated to smart use of the taxpayer dollars.
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Williams to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:48 PM
Respectively Submitted,
azj-
Katie Bruno, Council Secretary /City Clerk