City Commission Workshop

City of Deltona 2345 Providence Blvd. Deltona, FL 32725 Minutes City Commission Workshop Monday, January 30, 2023 5:30 PM Deltona Commission Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Avila. 2. ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK: Present: 7 - Commissioner Avila-Vazquez Commissioner Burbank Commissioner Colwell Commissioner JodyLee Commissioner McCool Vice Mayor Bradford Mayor Avila 3. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: 4. BUSINESS: A. Discussion re: City Manager search process. The Interim City Manager explained the items in the agenda packet to include a salary range and negotiations, advertising, and the process. Vice Mayor Bradford asked what were the salaries of the previous Acting City Manager and the Deputy City Manager. The Interim City Manager replied he thinks the Acting City Manager was $165,000 and he is not sure what the Deputy City Manager was. He believes the City of Daytona's City Manager makes about $245,000 but he will verify those numbers. To get someone comparable it is going to be around $200,000 or above. He will get further information on salaries in the area but, the Commission needs to consider the size of the cities. Vice Mayor Bradford asked how the City can search for a City Manager without a City Charter and what is the status of the City Charter. The Interim City Manager replied an ordinance is scheduled for first reading on February 6th and second reading on February 20th. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez asked for her notes from the interim City Manager interviews and the City Clerk replied she would locate them. City of Deltona Page 1 Printed on 2/10/2023 City Commission Workshop Minutes January 30, 2023 Commissioner JodyLee asked if there was anything prohibiting the Commission from talking to the applicants from the interim City Manager search and The Interim City Manager replied he would encourage the Commission not to because you want everyone to have the same opportunity to talk to each applicant in this process. This way your not making any predetermined decision without listening to others that might be just as qualified or more qualified. If a Commissioner is going to reach out to one, reach out to all of them. The Interim City Manager stated that beyond the interview process he would include an evening with the community at The Center at Deltona which is a very important part of the process. He stated not to be surprised is some change their mind or bring concerns forward because that is quite likely. Also, the Commission may hear from some of the cities that the candidates have been in. Commissioner Burbank stated he reached out to a number of these and asked them if they are still interested in the job. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez stated she remembers the last time she did this process. There were one on one interviews, there were public interviews and there was a meet and greet with the community where the chambers was packed with people. Commissioner Colwell asked if the current list of applicants were interested in the position and the Interim City Manager replied staff has not called anyone yet but, we will do that. Commissioner McCool asked how many semi-finalists will there be and the Interim City Manager replied his preference would be five or a few more because he would really like to give the Commission a good selection of applicants to talk to that are qualified and have a productive background that would be good for the City. Commissioner McCool asked to see the agreement before the negotiations begin and she would like to know who the designee will be. The Interim City Manager replied the Commission picks the person to do the negotiating and he will provide the contract language that is similar to his with a severance package. Commissioner JodyLee stated he is not for a golden parachute or moving expenses. The Interim City Manager stated its how the package is structured as to whether its golden or not so that has a lot to do with it and there is plenty of room to make those provisions. If the person stays with the City for 10 years that is a profit to the City you want to be sure they are compensated appropriately. Mayor Avila asked that the Commission receive the contract first which can be distributed to the candidates and residents before the hiring them and the Interim City Manger replied sure. Commissioner McCool asked if the City Manager search is going on concurrently with City of Deltona Page 2 Printed on 2/10/2023 City Commission Workshop Minutes January 30, 2023 the City Attorney search and the Interim City Manager replied submittal for the legal RFP ended Wednesday and once staff reviews them they will be forwarded to the Commission, within in the week. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez asked who would be vetting the applicants and the Interim City Manager replied himself, the City Clerk and the Human Resources to do the routine things. The final five (5) applicants will be fully vetted to include background checks. Vice Mayor Bradford asked if the brochures will also be distributed to the applicants because under "Challenges", the last paragraph it speaks about the City creating a Police Department which should be struck. Commissioner McCool asked if the intent was to not hire a Deputy City Manager but, to have the new City Manager do that and the Interim City Manager replied right. Staff is collecting applicants now but, he does not see it as a rush right now. He has hired a projects/grant person, a new PIO (Public Information Officer), and he is hiring an Assistant to the City Manager who will be involved in CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) and Building and Code Departments. Commissioner McCool asked about a Community Services Officer and the Interim City Manager replied some of the money is budgeted for things like that but, the titles may be a little different. The Interim City Manager stated there is a tentative timeline attached and if that changes it will be discussed, otherwise that is the plan for the process. He thinks the applicant should be at least a manager for five (5) years and at least 10 years total in government experience in a City of 50,000 people or greater. A salary range would be from $200,000 to $240,000 and to move as quickly as possible. Commissioner Burbank asked what the chances were that Mr. Chisholm would stay on to assist the new City Manager in getting up to speed? The Interim City Manager replied he does not want to be in the way because a manager wants to come in and manage which is what he wants the Commission to have and it is what the City really needs. He would be happy to share what he has discovered and what he has pushed forward with the new person. He will not just walk out the door but, he is not going to stay long. Vice Mayor Bradford stated she does not want someone who is a "jumper" and she will not consider anyone who does not have government experience. The Interim City Manager stated staff will rework the brochure. Vice Mayor Bradford stated the person needs to have a vast knowledge and experiences and she would see the brochure tightened up. The Interim City Manager replied staff will work on that and the Commission has said what he intended to be in the brochure. City of Deltona Page 3 Printed on 2/10/2023 City Commission Workshop Minutes January 30, 2023 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Time permitted, public comments shall be limited to items on the agenda and shall not exceed two minutes. Please be courteous and respectful of the views of others. Personal attacks on Commission members, City staff or members of the public are not allowed, and will be ruled out of order by the Mayor. 6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: The Interim City Manager stated it is a pleasure working with each of the Commissioners and the more he works with them, the better he understands them and the more difficult it is sometimes to make decisions because everyone has a different point of view which are all important. It is a joy for him and it will be a joy for a manager because they need comments from the Commission and not from someone outside the community. The manager is not going to always agree with the Commission but, that is normal and in the end Deltona will be a better managed City as a result. He thanked the Commission for working with him over the last 4 months or so, it has been a pleasure for him. Commissioner JodyLee asked if Ordinances can be put on a workshop such as the food truck ordinance. The Interim City Manager replied that is a good idea, to start working on some of that and the code does not reflect where the City is going. 7. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. ______________________________ Joyce Raftery, CMC, MMC, CITY CLERK City of Deltona Page 4 Printed on 2/10/2023