The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1989-08-15 Special Meeting I I I 605 " MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 15, 1989 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Tuesday, August 15, 1989, at 7:30 o'clock P.M. in Room 318 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present were: Commissioners Jonathan Barfield, Sr.; W. Albert Corbett, Jr.; E. L. Mathews, Jr.; Vice-Chairman, Nolan O'Neal; Chairman, Fred Retchin; County Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell. Chairman Retchin called the Special Session to order stating the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the procedures to be followed in hiring a new County Manager. He stated at the Board Meeting of August 7, 1989, it was the consensus of the Board to discuss the possible reassignment of the County Manager to another position with appointment of an Acting County Manager during this interim period of time. Commissioner Barfield stated due to controversy centered around this matter, he felt it would be in the best interest of the County and Mr. Cooper to appoint an Acting County Manager immediately and transfer County Manager Cooper to another position. Mr. Claud O'Shields, a former County Commissioner, expressed concern for this action when the Public Notice did not include discussion of this item on the agenda. County Attorney Pope stated the General Statutes provide that during a Special Session the Board can unanimously vote to discuss any item other than advertised. Motion: Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman O'Neal to discuss reassignment of duties for County Manager Cooper and to consider appointment of an Acting County Manager. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. REASSIGNMENT OF DUTIES TO COUNTY MANAGER, G. FELIX COOPER, AND APPOINTMENT OF MARY GORNTO AS ACTING COUNTY MANAGER A lengthy discussion was held on the reassignment of duties for County Manager Cooper and to whom he would report. Commissioner Barfield recommended assigning him as Project Manager of the Steam Plant expansion along with designating him to serve as liaison with Talbert, Cox & Associates, Inc. in seeking funding sources for completion of the county-wide sewer system. Commissioner Corbett stated the County Manager should be assigned a supervisor and recommended he report to the Director of Engineering & Facilities, Ed Hilton. He also expressed concern for limiting his duties to two specific areas stating the Commissioners should utilize his experience in any area they deem necessary. Discussion was held on no formal acceptance of the announcement read to the public after the Executive Session of July 24, 1989. Commissioner Corbett recommended acceptance of this agreement as amended when voting on a motion. Motion: After a lengthy discussion on the proper title and assignment of duties, Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Mathews to formally accept the announcement read at the Regular Meeting of July 24, 1989, with the following amendments: ( 1) the County Manager will immediately be reassigned duties as the Project Manager for the Steam Plant expansion and serve as liaison with Talbert, Cox & Associates, Inc. to seek revenue sources for funding of the county-wide Sewer System; (2) accept other assignments in keeping with his abilities as requested by the Board of Commissioners; (3) report ~ 60 €)MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 15, (CONTINUED) to the Director of Engineering & Facilities, Ed Hilton; (4) remain at his current salary as agreed upon in Executive Session. The floor was opened for discussion. Commissioner Corbett requested voting separately on the salary portion of the motion stating the announcement read at the meeting of July 24, 1989, did not address the salary for reassignment of duties. He stated the salary should be commensurate with the position and requested Commissioner Barfield to withdraw this portion of the MOTION. After discussion, portion of the MOTION Commissioner Mathews. Commissioner Barfield withdrew this with this action being SECONDED by [J Chairman Retchin called for a vote. on the MOTION. vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Upon Discussion fwas held on the salary agreement held in Executive Session on July 24, 1989. Chairman Retchin, Vice-Chairman O'Neal, and Commissioner Mathews stated the agreement reached in Executive Session was to allow Mr. Cooper's salary to remain at the current rate of pay. Motion: . After further discussion of protecting the County Manager's retirement, Chairman Retchin MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman O'Neal for Felix Cooper's salary to remain at the current level of pay as originally scheduled. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS: Voting Aye: Commissioner Barfield Commissioner Mathews Vice-Chairman O'Neal Chairman Retchin Voting Nay: Commissioner Corbett [J Discussion was held on appointing an Acting County Manager to assume the duties of the Manager during this interim period of time. Motion: Commissioner O'Neal MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Mathews to appoint Assistant County Manager, Mary Gornto, to become Acting County Manager effective August 21, 1989, with authority to exercise the powers and perform the duties of manager during this interim period. Commissioner Corbett requested the record to reflect that Mary Gornto and his wife are distant relatives. Chairman Retchin called for a vote on the MOTION. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURES TO BE USED IN HIRING A NEW COUNTY MANAGER Director of Personnel, Andre' Mallette, requested input from the Commissioners in determining the level of skills, abilities, and education desired when recruiting for a manager. He presented a sample recruitment brochure outlining the following details: OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION a. History b. Government c. Operations d. Major Projects: Proposed and Current [] RECRUITMENT/SELECTION STANDARDS a. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities b. Education 1\ MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, AUGUST 15, (CONTINUED) !PO 7 ., SALARY AND BENEFITS a. Staring Salary b. Salary Progression c. Benefits APPLICATION PROCEDURES a. Equal Opportunities Employer b. Where to Apply and Return Application c. Deadline for Submission of Application I Consensus: Discussion was held on lists prepared by the Commissioners of various traits, skills, knowledge, and abilities desired when preparing a recruiting package. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to submit their lists to the Personnel Director who will sort and compile these recommendations into recruitment selection standards. Discussion was held on establishing a starting salary for the manager's position. Commissioner Barfield requested the Personnel Director to compare salaries paid to managers in other counties similar to New Hanover County in population and size. Further discussion was held on current salaries of Department Heads in comparison to the starting salary of a new County Manager. Commissioner Barfield requested the Personnel Director to compare salaries of other Department Heads throughout the State in order to ascertain how to proceed with establishing a salary for this position. Discussion was held on advertising. Director Mallette commented on the cost of ads in large newspapers and recommended advertising in the following recruitment resources: .J..,.,. ' ~\ , .o..v 1. ICMA Newsletter - National Circulation - published every two weeks. (Free) 2. North Carolina Lines - State-wide Circulation - published bi-monthly. (Free) 3. County News National Circulation - published bi-monthly. (Free) 4. Jobs Available - Regional Circulation - Midwest/ Eastern Edition - published every two weeks. (Free) 5. Newspapers: (State) Star News Wilmington Journal Consensus: City/State, publication. the Board to Chairman Retchin recommended advertising in a weekly publication, and Governing, a monthly After further discussion, it was the consensus of advertise in the publications as recommended. Consensus: Discussion was held on confidentiality of applications during the recruiting process. It was the consensus of the Board to maintain confidentiality of applications received. I Consensus: After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board ~ ~, to schedule another Work Session. The Director of Personnel was ,~~ requested to contact the Chairman once the data is compiled so a Work Session can be scheduled. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Corbett to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Retchin adjourned the meeting at 9:20 o'clock P.M. ~~ectfulfY submitted, -d~ L Cle F. Harrell Clerk to the Board ...J