City Council

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4007 www.LowellMA.gov Lowell City Council Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Special Meeting Minutes Date: August 12, 2019 Time: 5:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA SPECIAL MEETING (CITY AUDITOR INTERVIEWS) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. M. Samaras presiding. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Interviews - Candidates (3) for City Auditor. In City Council, M. Samaras outlined procedure to be followed indicating an opening and closing statement by the candidates as well as questioning by the Councilors rotating by each candidate. Mary Callery (HR Director) noted first candidate would be interviewed via SKYPE and Miran Frenandez (MIS Director) outlined that procedure. Kara McSwiggin was interviewed via SKYPE beginning at 6:35 PM. The Council introduced themselves to her. Ms. McSwiggin provided opening remarks outlining her qualifications and prior work experience. C. Elliott questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding accounting experience with municipalities as well as experience of managing budgets. C. Kennedy questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding CPA; current living situation; commitment to the job; staff management; and budgeting. C. Leahy questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding commitment to position as well as dealing with challenges in school administration budgeting. C. Mercier questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding CPA and education; experience with MUNIS; and qualities which would enable her to do the job. C. Milinazzo questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding working in a municipal system; cash management with other departments; and responses to audit findings. C. Nuon questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding municipal experience as well as ability to respond to nine supervisors. M. Samaras questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding oversight of regulations as well as the role of the Auditor. C. Cirillo questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding ability to fill the position quickly if selected. C. Conway questioned Ms. McSwiggin regarding her actions within the first ninety days of employment. Ms. McSwiggin provided closing remarks and thanked body for the opportunity. Interview concluded at 6:14 PM. Ms. Callery indicated when the City would follow-up regarding position. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 2) Cheryl Dick interview began at 6:20 PM. The Council introduced themselves to her. Ms. Dick provided opening remarks regarding work experience. C. Kennedy questioned Ms. Dick regarding work experience with management; commitment to job; and municipal experience. C. Leahy questioned Ms. Dick regarding managing school department budget issues with the City. C. Mercier questioned Ms. Dick regarding position being full time; accounting principles; greatest qualities; and management style. C. Milinazzo questioned Ms. Dick regarding account reconciliation with invoices; dealing with audits from third parties; managing school department issues; and responses to audit reports. C. Nuon questioned Ms. Dick regarding work experience. M. Samaras questioned Ms. Dick regarding enforcing regulations and guidelines for compliance; and handling issues within job. C. Cirillo questioned Ms. Dick regarding her opinion of the City. C. Conway questioned Ms. Dick regarding first 90 days on the job as well as school department budget management. C. Elliott questioned Ms. Dick regarding financial software; managing issues and grants; and cash conciliation. C. Kennedy questioned Ms. Dick regarding attendance at meetings and crisis management. Ms. Dick provided closing remarks outlining her personality as well as her experience for the job. Ms. Callery indicated when the City would follow-up regarding position. The interview concluded at 7:05 PM. Charles Anganes interview began at 7:10 PM. The Council introduced themselves to him. Mr. Anganes provided opening remarks indicating his experience and reasoning for seeking the job. C. Leahy questioned Mr. Anganes regarding selection of Lowell as well as ability to manage school department budget issues. C. Mercier questioned Mr. Anganes regarding City; accounting principles; management style; attendance at meetings; and qualities. C. Milinazzo questioned Mr. Anganes regarding supervision; working with various departments; and working in public sector. C. Nuon questioned Mr. Anganes regarding municipal experience; dealing with authority; and dealing with school issues. M. Samaras questioned Mr. Anganes regarding management style. C. Cirillo questioned Mr. Anganes regarding his opinion of the City. C. Conway questioned Mr. Anganes regarding first 90 day plan on the job as well as managing bi-weekly payroll. C. Elliott questioned Mr. Anganes regarding work experience as well as pension management. C. Kennedy questioned Mr. Anganes regarding roots in the City; commitment to job; management style; and crisis management. Mr. Anganes provided closing remarks and questioned some aspects of the position. Ms. Callery indicated when the City would follow-up regarding position. The interview concluded at 8:00 PM. 3. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov