2010-08-09 Regular City Council Agenda

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already do the job, and the policy of University City is to always look from within. She agreed that if Council had the time and if we didn’t have as credentialed individual that search should have gone forward. Ms. Ricci said the City has someone with two Master degrees, 30 plus years of experience, twelve years in this city, experienced in development, which is what we need, and all that happened was that Mr. Walker was hired in good faith. On June 28, she voted for that Search Firm and then Council went into an Executive Session. From the discussion came, let’s inquire and make an overture to see if there was interest. The immediate response was that there was interest. To paint this as personal, as an agenda or collusive is inaccurate. The Council made a decision that it thought was in the best interest of this City and to move forward. Mr. Glickert asked Ms. Watson to revisit the pool situation as he did not think the 4:00 opening is acceptable and felt the City could do better. He would like to know how many have applied. Mr. Glickert noted that he mentioned that the YMCA had guards that would be interested in working for the City, which turned out to be four guards. In the June Study session meeting the Director of Park Ms. MacCartney stated that the City offers $7.85 to $10.00 per hour per guard. The Director from the Y spoke with Mr. McCarthy and was told that he could only give $7.72 per hour. Mr. Glickert said there are 175 people who signed the petition. Ms. Watson stated that the Parks Department went through a significant process, putting up all kinds of signage, contacted all kinds of facilities and entities that might be able to provide guards She said they ended up with nine new guards but they could only perform after 3:30- 4:00. The City just does not have the guards to operate the pool safely from noon on. Mr. Glickert commented on the Washington U apartments around the Loop area where they have done a very good job of landscaping work. It was a great enhancement to the buildings they own. Mr. Crow thanked all for coming out and their participation. He acknowledged Ms. Carr as a worthy advisory. Mr. Crow stated that on June 28, the Council approved a Search Firm and less than an hour later in Executive session, the Council decided to have a conversation with one applicant on a five to two vote. On July 6 the Council had a one hour interview with one candidate. On July 8 a contract was signed by the perspective candidate and Council voted on it July 12. Mr. Crow noted that he got to vote one time on the City Manager search after it already occurred. He said it isn’t about whether it was legal; this is about whether or not it was right. Mr. Crow said that so many people sitting on the dais said we will listen to the public solicit their input and we want open transparent and accountable government. He said he was asked why he voted no and his answer was we told our community that we were going to have an extensive search process, ask for citizen input, and get the best candidate based on that input. Mr. Crow noted the process never got started. He stated he was disappointed that it has become personalized because it truly has been about the process.Mr. Crow said that in an email that went out this day, it stated that “we recognize that he would rise to the top of an applicant pool,” and he said that there has been more time spent talking about lifeguards at the pool, than the Council has done in the hiring of a City Manager. Mr. Crow was okay with not having a City Manager for three months. He stated that a number of people said they were ready to hit the ground running after elected and not one budget issue has been addressed. Mr. Crow said he would like the City Manager to have experience with a budget across the board - a budget that impacts public safety, fire, police, development, human resources, IT, public works. Mr. Crow asked to go on record that he welcomes the new City Manager with 6