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: October 30, 2019 Time: 6:00 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA Special Meeting Auditor Interviews/Selection 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). C. Kennedy arrived at 6:10 PM and C. Leahy arrived at 6:25 PM. M. Samaras presiding. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1Interview of (3) Final Candidates for the Position of 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. Kara McSwiggin was interviewed beginning at 6:12 PM. Ms. McSwiggin provided opening remarks outlining her qualifications and prior work experience and noted her earlier declination of the job offer. C. Mercier questioned her regarding the use of technology to ease budget burdens and her availability for the position. C. Milinazzo questioned her regarding correcting outstanding issues with an independent audit as well keeping current with various government regulations. C. Nuon questioned her regarding her experience and her description of her first sixty days on the job. M. Samaras questioned her regarding the use of her position to govern various department heads in terms of fiscal compliance. C. Conway questioned her regarding interaction with City Manager and her role as an auditor. C. Elliott questioned her regarding her investigative experience. C. Kennedy questioned her regarding her management experience. C. Leahy thanked her for returning for the interview and indicated the information he received from prior interview. Ms. McSwiggin provided closing remarks and thanked body for the opportunity. Interview concluded at 6:30 PM. Tina Masiello interview began at 6:35PM. Ms. Masiello provided opening remarks regarding her education and work experience. C. Leahy questioned her regarding her interest in the position and noted that she would have to be available for Tuesday night meetings. C. Mercier questioned her regarding working within budgets as well as identifying her greatest quality. C. Milinazzo questioned her regarding correcting City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 2) outstanding issues with an independent audit. C. Nuon questioned her regarding using her experience to resolve issues as well as outlining her first sixty days at the position. M. Samaras questioned her regarding the use of her position to govern various department heads in terms of fiscal compliance. C. Conway questioned her regarding availability to begin work as well as her role as an auditor. C. Elliott questioned her regarding getting started at the position as well as the use of her experience to jump start the department. C. Kennedy questioned her regarding prior transfer of positions. Ms. Masiello provided closing remarks and the interview concluded at 7:00 PM. Priya Kabare began her interview at began at 7:05 PM. Ms. Kabare provided opening statement outlining her work experience and qualifications. C. Leahy questioned her regarding her interest in position. C. Mercier questioned her regarding her availability to begin work as well as to her qualifications for the position. C. Milinazzo questioned her regarding correcting outstanding issues with an independent audit. C. Nuon questioned her regarding using her experience to resolve issues as well as outlining her first sixty days at the position. M. Samaras questioned her regarding the use of her position to govern various department heads in terms of fiscal compliance. C. Conway questioned her regarding her role as an auditor as well as her interactions with other departments. C. Elliott questioned her regarding the number of audits conducted. C. Kennedy questioned her regarding her supervision experience and ability. Ms. Kabare provided closing remarks and the interview concluded at 7:40 PM. C. Elliott noted the efforts of Mary Callery (HR) in the process and that he is prepared to move forward with the selection. 2.2. Selection of City Auditor. In City Council, Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier to select an auditor by way of ballot. Adopted per Roll Call Ballot. Tina Masiello was selected by first round ballot as follows: Tina Masiello – 6 votes (C. Leahy, C. Mercier, C. Milinazzo, M. Samaras, C. Conway, C. Elliott); Kara McSwiggin – 2 votes (C. Nuon, C. Kennedy); 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier to have Mayor and Ms. Callery begin negotiations with candidate with starting date as soon as possible. So voted. C. Mercier recognized the efforts of Acting Auditor Karen O’Beirne. 3. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov