Commission - Special Meeting

Everyone, if you'll take your seats, uh, we're going to go ahead and get started. I'll bring this meeting to order. Special meeting, that is. So, [clears throat] those of you that were here this morning, thank you. I see a lot of repeat faces that were here this morning that are back. I see some of you brought your spouses back, so thank you for that. Um, again, as I said this morning, this is kind of democracy sausage making in action. We want to be as transparent as we can possibly be, but we still have at the end of the day, we have some decisions to make as a team of five commissioners. We have to decide of these three final candidates. We went from 98 with literally from PhDs to a Waffle House waitress. So, to say that we had a broad breath of experience would be an understatement. And we culled those down to five finalists. of the five finalists, two withdrew from consideration prior to interviewing. Um, one had just recently gotten a job and another one was doing a final interview with two different cities. So, it brought us down from five to three finalists and you saw those interviews this morning. So, what we're going to do now is do a quick rundown. We're going to give an opportunity for all five of us commissioners to give overall feedback on all three candidates. really to not only ourselves as a commission, but also to the public what we saw, what we like, what stood out. And then once all five have gotten a chance to to share those transparent, you know, open feedbacks and the sunshine, then we'll do basically a ballot of where everybody's leaning. And based on where that ballot is, it could be 50 41 22 and one. You know, it's it's hard to say, but once we do that initial, we'll know how we need to talk or if there's already a clear favorite. And then if there is a clear favorite or two strong favorites, we'll go into the discussion of are we just hiring or selecting a primary or do we want a primary and a secondary. So based on how everybody's

feedback and kind of vote goes will determine where we go from here. So there is no real script per se. This is just us sharing and collaborating and going from there. So, y'all buckle up, watch, and uh again, we appreciate y'all being here. So, with that, I started with Commissioner Tender on the interview. So, Commissioner Pero, we'll start on this side with you this time. Um share your overall thoughts, whatever you'd like to share on all three candidates and the interviews this morning.

Thank you, Mayor. Um first interview we had was with Mr. Depper. Um and um uh everyone I just want everyone to know I'll be the first to go but we all asked the same questions to the to each individual um uh candidate and some of us and asked more than the two questions but in in in that turn they were still the same questions by each by each individual commissioner. Um Mr. Debt Waller. Um, I appreciate you coming and interviewing and you answered all my questions. Um, um, I I can't thank you for your enough for your time and and and the consideration of this board. Um uh I appreciate your cander and and um uh your um your commitment uh was to uh the learning uh you I would say you you you use the word teachable moments. Can't do it alone. Um um I uh I appreciate your sentiments on that. Thank you. Um uh the next interview uh was Mr. Rebecca Hart. Um she um she had a vast amount of military experience. Um uh I also appreciate her time and and and uh her the consideration of this board. Um uh she seemed like she was very adaptive um and that she could manage people really well. Um u her um her commitments were u um as far as some of the highlights that I got as um she was an active listener um

teamwork um she wanted to leave a better safer more transparent Linhaven uh in the future um with a a sense of community um um and u um her her her answers and her sentiment again was was was to be considered. Um and then um uh interim city manager Lightoot was the last interview. Um he brought with him uh a handout uh was a little encompassing of of where he's been um uh from his employment with the city to his to his appointment to interim city manager and what he would focus on in the future as a permanent city manager. So, all of this was was enlightening. Um, I have my feelings. I think I've let them be known. Um, and uh I think we'll we'll we'll go from here. I don't think we're going to play our hands out too much till the end. So, I just want to thank everybody for being here. I want to thank all the citizens in the room, all all the staff. Thank y'all very very much for taking this into consideration as as serious as we are. So, Thank you, Commissioner Perno. Commissioner Peebles.

Thank you, Mayor. It's been a long process over eight months or so. So, I just want to say thanks to HR and and all the applicants and everyone that's been involved in this long process, all the citizens that's given feedback, staff that's given feedback. Uh it's very much appreciated by me. So, thank you. Uh I'll kind of do what Commissioner Pero did, kind of just go through and give some of my notes. I think with Zack Deweiler was uh no doubt that I saw his passion in um in his interview. He's a excellent uh interviewee by the way. Um he answered all of my questions very well. I think the to me is the things that stuck out to me was him saying his greatest strength is knowing he can't do it alone, which I think is important. in that um is that if he was the city manager, he would not want to make big changes, but rather make small tweaks, which I'm a big fan of. Um that's how I feel any any new member, whether that's on the board of commissioners or the city manager. I I feel like that's the way that it should always be handled. Um well, not always, but for the most part. Um, and then the next candidate, Miss um, Rebecca, Miss Rebecca, let make sure I got my notes on her right here. All right, Miss Hart. Um, it was very clear to me that she has a passion for people and that that shine through her interview. Obviously, um I understood where she was coming from with a lot of her military background and and I do think that some of that can relate. Um I think that uh one of her biggest strengths is that she wanted to be communicative be have communication with all the staff bring

and bring in accurate data while staying calm when it comes to any hard anything that could happen with the city that would be uh pro like a hurricane or anything any type of emergency that is unforeseen. And so I thought that was I thought that was good. Um she had answer even though she doesn't have a background in uh municipal government, she did have an answer for all of our questions. So I thought that was good. And then Mr. Lightfoot. Um I think the one thing that stuck out to me is one thing that I I think is very important is one of the questions I asked was um I asked besides the staff and the people which is the obvious answer on what is the lifeblood of a municipality. The other two candidates I like their answers but Mr. Lightfoot stuck out stuck out the most to me because he said water, sewer, utilities. And I think that without that structure, um, a city can't survive. If we don't have infrastructure, then ultimately the county is just going to absorb us. Um, and so, uh, I did like the other I did not expect the answers that I got from Mr. Deweiler and, um, and, uh, the other candidate, but they were good answers. So, I thought that was that was really fun to get those answers. But, um, and then I did like his when asked what his greatest accomplishment was. This was not my question, but, um, greatest accomplishment is how he's empowered his team. And I do I have seen that firsthand. I I feel like um staff has come to me and told me how they how they feel empowered and how they they have enjoyed being able to do things that they haven't been able to do in the past and I don't think that that's just Mr. Lightoot talking. I think we have proof

of that. Um but that's kind of my my footnotes for now. So

Okay. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Warick. Well, I mean, I think you guys pretty much summarized it up by the time it gets down here. Um, first I just want to thank all the candidates who applied um for the position and those who participated in the interview process. As we know, this position is a very challenging and important role. Um, I appreciate each candidate's willingness to step forward and and offer their leadership to Linhaven. Um, this is one of the most important decisions that we can make for our city. And uh I have uh tried to approach this through a thoughtful thoughtfully and carefully. And when I evaluated the candidates, I focused on several key factors. Um one was leadership ability, experiencing managing uh municipal operations, fiscal responsibility, and the ability to work effectively within our commissioner for manager form of government. And one of the big things I kind of wanted to pick up from each of the candidates, which they all hit, was who sets the priorities and and sets the policy. And they all stated it was the commission. And um they all pretty much, you know, hit on that. They need to keep the commission informed because we are the ones that set the priorities and set the policies and then it's up to the city manager to implement those based on our direction. So, they all hit that. Um they're all passionate about people, which is great. Um my biggest question is who would be the most effective to manage the city starting tomorrow because as we know the city has been through a lot. Um and uh is there going to be a big learning curve? Um Mr. Deweiler had a lot of great answers to his questions. Um appreciate that. Uh, I felt Miss Hart. I felt like there were some points that um she kind of missed as far as municipal government and I think some of that's just from um not having much experience with local

government. I feel like the learning curve with her would definitely be a lot more. So um those are some of the things that I'm kind of look that's the biggest question I'm trying to look at is who would be the most effective starting tomorrow uh if we hired them. So thank you sir. Commissioner Tinder.

Well, most people that know me know I'm a people person and I can honestly say uh Zach um knows his stuff. He's extremely brilliant in my opinion. Um, Miss Hart is a people person. She made that very clear. [clears throat] Um, and of course Chris has been in the position. He's been doing it. So, I can honestly say that if I had not seen the um criminal records of all three, which we were given those this morning in writing. Um there's only one person who does not have so much as a parking ticket. Um, and I'm not going to embarrass anybody by pointing that person out necessarily, but uh um I'm looking out for the employees. I'm looking out for the residents and I'd like to see the person who has that ability as well. Um, instead of making their themselves shine, I would like to see the person hired that um will have the backs of everybody. And that's all I have to say.

Thank you, ma'am. [clears throat] As far as I go, I'll uh try to bring up the caboose here and plow a little bit uh different constructive uh feedback. I thought all three interviewees did a really good job. Um Mr. Deweiler, first I'll go in order. Um you really surprised me with some very thoughtful, breth, depthy um operational perspectives on a broad arena of areas. Um, I think you did a great job. Um, Miss Harts, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and squadron commander just like myself. Uh, she was in the aircraft maintenance world and program management. She spoke a lot about those experiences and she hung up her uniform only a year ago. So, and she's basically she said reading books and at the beach, you know, she's taking some time off to decompress after 22 years to God and country. So, uh, can completely appreciate that her her lack of municipal experience was kind of telling in some of the answers, but what I see her representing is a complete basically reboot, a blank slate if we were to go in that direction. Uh, in terms of a brand new leader with a lot of experience operationally from the federal side, but literally kind of brand new to the city municipal government kind of side. And then there's Mr. uh Lightfoot who was very articulate as one would expect for eight months in the job. Uh succinct, credible, on point. Uh I felt the first and the third interviews were incredibly strong and I genuinely liked uh Miss Hart as well. I honestly expected her to be a little bit more prepared with Lyn Haven's specifics. I didn't get a lot of that. She talked about the heart of this community and the character and I wholeheartedly agree with that. I think all three of them did great interviews.

But in terms of constructive feedback, um, she couldn't even answer basic budget, you know, discernment between general funds and enterprise funds, which isn't a big thing. You don't have those in the federal government. You have different pots of money, colors of money, but I would have expected at least a cursory look at Lin Haven and what our budget is, and she could have thrown out, well, you guys have this level of budget and you have this many pots of money. uh something to that level where we could see that she had kind of been engaged. Um the last thing I'll say is like Commissioner Tinder, we got the backgrounds investigation on all three and I didn't expect to find some of the things I found. Um but that is weighing heavy and I don't want to call anyone out or do anything inappropriate there either, but that is certainly weighing on my decision heavily as well. Um I think Mr. Deweiler actually said it best. He had a quote that I thought was pretty um thoughtful and he said uh why are we willing to work with them if they have committed crimes. So that is something that I'm struggling with in this rack and stack because we have three very talented people with proven leadership records uh three very different skill sets. Um and each one of them represent a very distinctly different option for Linhaven. Chris Lightfoot is plugandplay literally tomorrow. We know exactly what we're going to get with him. Zack Deweiler would be a complete um indepth fresh pair of eyes. I think he called himself a locomotive, right? A freight train. [clears throat and cough] You come in, get him on the tracks and chugga chugga chugga, you know. Uh and a fresh eye and a fresh perspective in some ways could be very very helpful. And Miss Hart, you know, no pun intended, but she's all heart. And I do mean the h e heart. uh she's all about people and that shows. So all three

offer distinct options and uh that's kind of where we're at. So I'm glad I'm not making this decision alone. I'm just 20% of this equation. Um but now comes the hurting cap part, folks, where the five of us kind of um put down where we're leaning. First off, we'll have the uh city attorney, Mr. Jackson who reports directly to us be the one to take them and consolidate. Uh and from there we'll do kind of the initial where everyone's leaning and then based on those inputs kind of the the closed ballot if you will go from there in terms of discussions or wherever we need to go from there. That good with everybody? All right. If you would take a moment.

We're writing one name, right?

Correct. One name. And after the one name is written, after a ballot is done, uh if there's a clear direction, we can come back and talk. Okay, do we have a number two? Do we want to do a number two in case negotiations fall out, that kind of thing? Are we just going with number one or however? Feel like we're passing notes in class. So, give us a moment while the attorney reviews. All right, mayor. The uh the votes are um four for Mr. Lightfoot and one for Miss Hart.

Okay. So, commission, uh, where do y'all want to be in terms of selecting a number two? Just go down the road. In terms of selecting an alternate, there's no need. Do we do only a primary or do we primary and an alternate? It's four to one. I can't imagine Chris, unless Chris is not feeling well.

Well, the the only reason he I'm sorry, I don't mean to step on your toes. Uh I think the only reason the mayor is bringing this up because we're going to have to still have negotiation on on pay and benefits. So, if that falls through, I think that's where the mayor is going through is do you want do you want to be able to select an alternate in case that falls through or do we want to wait until that occurs whether that agreement occurs or not and then reconvene? I definitely I definitely agree with that because there's a big difference. That's the Oh, sorry. That's the next fun hurting cats thing we get to do. Okay. But so, yes. What are your thoughts?

I'm of the opinion that if for whatever reason it falls through, then we reconvene and discuss it. I kind of lean that way, too. Okay. I concur with that. Let's go forward. We We have We have a cast and let's let's move forward. Okay. Well, it looks like the eyes have it. Um, you should have a motion. Tracking tracking. I'm just talking about the no alternate at this time.

Uh keep in mind for those of you in the audience what will happen now is uh I don't know if you could hear Commissioner Tinder or not or in Commissioner Warick but um I will sit down as the lead for the chair of the commission with uh Mr. Lightfoot and we'll negotiate a a salary kind of back and forth.

I don't think so, Mayor. I think that's up for us to decide, not you. We we you you don't you're not the point man to dis to to to dis we we we as a committee as a commission decide who's going to negotiate the salary. That's the way I've always done it in the past with hiring of two other city managers. Judy, are you correct with that? We select somebody as a consensus amongst the commission. The comm Yeah, I think the commission should uh look at the salary. Correct.

Together. Well, and Rob, this is where we'll have you as the city attorney step in because and correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding from my spin up with you was the mayor as chair does the initial kind of back and forth and brings it to the commission. Um, if that's not correct, please correct me and tell me what is the proper

Yeah, there there's no um automatic way to do this. Traditionally, what the commissions have done is that they will delegate the authority to negotiate the contract to the mayor uh with the city attorney and then after they negotiate the contract, you'll come back to the commission for uh final approval. We've I've solicited input from all of y'all on the on the contract. And so I have that and I'll consult with the mayor and we'll negotiate with the candidate. However, the commission can do can delegate someone else to be lead um with on the negotiation or can um I guess the alternative would be to get input from Mr. Lightfoot or whoever the selectee is and then bring it all back to the commission for open discussion. Uh there's a lot of different ways to do that. My my recommendation would be to have one of you all, typically it's the mayor, uh take lead with the with the city attorney to negotiate the contract, circulate that among the commission for your comments, and then when we come back on the 24th, you all can make it whatever changes that you want to make in the contract for it's approved.

Thank you for that. But we need a starting document to start with. Thank you for that. Then Pat, that's what I understood. So no disrespect intended, brother. wasn't trying to take over. No, I just know in the previous negotiation one one commissioner was selected and it wasn't it wasn't the mayor. It was I believe it was Commissioner Aldridge was the last one and uh there was another commissioner prior to that. So I just wanted to make sure it's it's not it's it's it's five of us. Sure. We decide together there and I will respectfully defer to the rest of the commission. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you four. So, I know I have your confidence, but if there's someone better equipped to do that or really hardcore to do that, I will respectfully defer.

I'm I'm okay with the processes city attorney is is involved. That's in in any one of us. That's fine. It's I'm more than happy as long as it comes back to us. It does. And it has to be a uh city total commission decision. Yeah. the con as you all know the constraints are that if two of you all discuss this we have to not notice a public meeting to do that. So that's why it's typically done where one person from the commission is the point along with the staff person typically the city attorney and then we bring it back for open discussion at a noticed meeting.

As long as we have the notice I mean as long as we have the in front of all five of us to talk about it I'm fine and as long as the attorney's involved. So, one of the one of the options you brought up, city attorney, was you just do it all out in the open. You've seen it done that way before. I have never seen it done that way. No. Okay. So, I think our first step is to nominate someone to do that process, I believe. Right.

So, that's up to y'all. Uh the mayor chairs this commission, but he or she is only one of this commission. So, if there's somebody else that's hardcore wants to do this, I will respectfully defer to the four of you. Uh, if not, I'll do it with the the attorney. You already have inputs from all five of us.

If you recall, I solicited I solicited input from all of you all on this whole process. I have those inputs. Um, I can craft a contract that tries to meet as many of the inputs as we can. Talk to the mayor. Then we'll present that to whoever the selected candidate is. Go back and forth until we have something that both parties agree to. And then the mayor can present that or whoever the commission is, commissioner that does it can present that to the commission and talk about how we got here. And then the commission can make whatever changes the commission wants. Mr. Groove. Do we have a volunteer? Somebody wants to negotiate. I will respectfully defer. If not, I'll I'll do it. I I do have a question. I'm sorry. I do have a question. Um, we know what the interim city mayor or city manager makes now and if we have another applicant who is willing to start it much less does that how does that play in?

Really wouldn't other than if we get to alternate so if the negotiations break down that's why I was asking do y'all want to have an alternate as if Mr. Lightfoot and us just completely are worlds apart and can't get there. We will need to do an alternate between Mr. Deweiler and Miss Hart or we restart this process. And the job I believe was advertised at a certain salary range and I believe all the candidates are comfortable with that salary range or they wouldn't come to the interview. So, I guess I'll just start with you, Commissioner Tender, and go down your thoughts.

Of course, I'm I mean, uh, Miss Hart put right on her application, she was willing to start at 120. Chris already makes 130, I believe. So, I I don't know. I I mean in terms of um I don't I think they're two separate things. Okay. I mean they're just in terms of negotiating. Does any other member of the commission want to be the negotiator for the commission? Not me. I'm I'm open to it. Whatever the commission wants to do.

So I am an appointed mayor. uh based on your four votes, trust and confidence on behalf of the people, you are an elected commissioner, a two-time elected commissioner. Uh and my fellow military brother-in- arms, I trust you and your core values. So, if you want to take the lead here, I will respectfully defer and let you take lead here and uh you can negotiate uh with Mr. Lightfoot and then y'all come back to us. Um depends on the rest of the commission. I don't know if they're comfortable with that or I'm okay if you're okay with it, Jamie. Yeah, I trust you for it. So, all right. So, Mr. Attorney, we have our appointee negotiator.

Okay. What's next? We would need a motion um to make the final selection. Uh even though there was a vote, we still need a motion. And so I I prepared a sample motion and distributed that to you all before, but basically it was to select whatever your candidate would be uh as next city manager and authorize the city attorney and commissioner war to negotiate a contract with the candidate, bring it back to the commission for a full commission approval at the next public meeting on March 24th. And the contract should be in the form that uh was presented to the commission earlier with adjustments made obviously for for the negotiation.

Okay. If someone were to make a similar motion. Uh can I get a motion on I'll make the motion. Um we go exactly as um the attorneys just spoke. Um the motion is for uh to go into negotiation with Chris Lightfoot with the city attorney and commissioner Warick um to develop the contract and bring it back to the commission. Is that correct? Yes, sir. And if if anything fails at that time, we could select an alternate. But does that need to be part of the motion as well? No, sir. Okay. Then that's the motion I'll make. I'll second.

Okay. Well, we have a motion and a second. So, we'll now open the floor to any public commentary or feedback. Um, I believe that's appropriate, is it not? For Sunshine Law, it's still a special hire. Yeah, you'll still need to take public, correct? Um, and based on those comments, when the comments are done, we'll uh have assistant manager Hodes take the role. So, Miss Moore, come on up. [clears throat]

push the green button, the little teardrop on the bottom. Green light should come on. Can you hear me now? Okay. Ma'am,

um I just want to thank the commission for um having this be an open process and having this out for everybody to see. I think that's really something we need more of going forward. Um, I do want to say that, um, when it comes to the two candidates, um, who did not get chosen, um, they are just really stellar people. Um, I think they both had great interviews. I think that they're very smart, very talented. So, if they want a position in the city, I hope you consider that and give them a place even if they're not going to be city manager. Um, especially Zach, he is just super smart. So, I think that he would definitely come in uh, very useful to the city. So again, I just want to thank everybody for um making this transparent. This is the first time I've actually seen something like this and it's really great. It's more cities need to do this kind of thing.

Thank you, Miss Moore. Come on up, Mr. Basher. Just one thing, um as this will be the first goround with Mr. Lightfoot on this interview, I think and not just for him, but for anybody that you're putting in as a city manager at this point. I think previously the contracts have been negotiated at about four years. I think it might be prudent to make it a shorter term on the first time in and renegotiate and say two years or whatever the contract length would be. But I think maybe a little bit shorter contract to begin with might be something that you may want to look at. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Mr. Hines, come on up. I appreciate what you did. It took a long time to get to where you at, but you made a decision and you're sticking with it. Now, as far as the background on people, only people that never done anything wrong. Somebody's never done anything. All of us done something wrong. You need to consider that also. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Thank you. Any other feedback? public commentary. That is hearing. None. Uh we'll move to close. There are no other commission comments. Uh assistant city manager, would you call the role? Yes. Commissioner, yes. Yes. No.

Yes. All right. So, we have 41. I think our task is now to the next phase with city attorney Jackson and Commissioner Warick. Um, good luck, gentlemen. Good luck, Mr. Lightfoot. And I hope y'all have some frank, productive, professional, collaborative discussions. Yes, ma'am. Oh, I don't want to interrupt you. I just want to announce publicly that I will not be in town next week, but I will be available by phone for every meeting and uh the city town hall and everything else that's going on.

Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. So, unless there's any other issues to bring forth from the commission, I believe we're done for the day. Thank you'all very much.