City Attorney Performance Evaluation Committee

City Attorney Evaluation Committee City Hall – Conference Room 302 A 10 N. Division Battle Creek, Michigan April 9, 2009 3:30 P.M. Commissioners Present: Mayor Behnke, Comm. Hersha, Comm. Baldwin Commissioners Absent: None Others Present: Eileen Wicklund, Dee Laser Call to Order: Mayor Behnke called the meeting to order at 3:33 P.M. The purpose of the meeting was to establish goals and objectives for the City Attorney in order to complete an evaluation of the City Attorney. Mayor Behnke provided a list of suggested city attorney goals to the committee and turned the meeting over to Chairman Hersha. Attorney Wicklund stated the attorney’s office provides services for all city offices. The suggested goals on the list are measurable. She felt it important to work with the City Manager to determine if the city’s needs are being met. Comm. Hersha felt it would be helpful to look at a draft evaluation form and that all commissioners are involved in the process. He would value seeing a job description in how the City Attorney views her duties or a summary of the types of things the Attorney does on a day-to-day basis. Attorney Wicklund stated her office works on many contracts, works with Zoning, Planning, Income Tax, and prosecution. Comm. Hersha asked that the City Clerk provide a copy of the 2007 City Attorney evaluation form to the committee. Mayor Behnke felt that the city is sometimes exposed to litigation and asked the City Attorney how the city reaches out to departments to curtail exposure. Attorney Wicklund stated when they are interacting with departments, they are always looking at the angles to avoid legal issues. We are trying to provide more training with boards in case there is liability. They have continued training with the Police Department regarding issues like sexual harassment. Mayor Behnke felt that Attorney Wicklund has done a good job and would like to see an evaluation completed by Attorney Wicklund’s first year anniversary, October 7, 2009. 1 Attorney Wicklund asked what time frame the committee would be looking at for goals and accomplishments. Comm. Hersha would like to do an evaluation this year. He hoped the evaluation would be consistent with what Ms. Wicklund expected the position to be. If the committee feels that the list contains worthy goals, Attorney Wicklund stated she would work diligently to get them accomplished. She developed the goals on what she envisioned the position to be. Comm. Baldwin stated that everything can’t be looked at objectively. Mayor Behnke asked the Attorney to share her goals with other commissioners and have each commissioner report back on the goals and objectives. Comm. Baldwin asked the City Attorney to look at the city’s goals and see how hers fit in. Comm. Hersha asked the City Attorney to share the goal document with other commissioners. Based on the input received, an evaluation could be developed for the committee’s next meeting. Comm. Baldwin suggested meeting prior to a Commission meeting to share information. Comm. Hersha suggested meeting at 6:00 P.M. on June 2, 2009. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Comm. Baldwin, supported by Mayor Behnke, to approve the minutes from the February 11, 2008, City Attorney Evaluation Committee meeting. All yes. Motion carried. Public Comment: None. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 3:59 P.M. DAL:jg 2