1989-08-15 Special Meeting
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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
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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
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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
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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
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RECRUITMENT/SELECTION STANDARDS
a. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
b. Education
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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
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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:
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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,
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L Cle F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
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