Item 1CMINUTES
CITY MANAGER INTERVIEWS
October 24, 2014
12:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Carolyn Woods
Mayor Pro Tern Mark Beckenbach
Commissioner Jimmy Hill
Commissioner Maria Mark
ALSO: Cathy Berry, Human Resources Director
Richard Komando, City Attorney
John Anzivino, Springsted
ABSENT: Commissioner Jonathan Daugherty
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NOVEMBER 10,2014
Mayor Carolyn Woods called the meeting to order at 11:58 p.m. which was held in the Commission
Chamber for the purpose of interviewing the candidates (listed below) for the City Manager position.
Mayor Woods explained the process for the interviews.
1. Interview City Manager Candidates
John Anzivino of Springsted brought each of the following candidates to the Chamber at their
scheduled interview time and introduced them to the Commission.
Edwin Booth
MarkKutney
Robert Middaugh
Jane Shang
Nelson Van Liere
The Commission interviewed each candidate separately, asking each the following questions:
1. Tell us what you have learned about the City, your thoughts about the City's current condition and
its future, why you would like to serve as City Manager in Atlantic Beach and how your education,
background and experience place you in a unique position to serve the Mayor and Commission and
the citizens of the community.
2. During your career you undoubtedly experienced a difficult period as a Manager. Tell us about that
period and how that shaped you as a Manager. What are some things that you feel you have done
particularly well in your previous and current position?
3. If you were to be selected as City Manager how would you go about establishing a work plan to
become more familiar with the City? What would be your plan for the first 90 days, 180 days and
year of your tenure?
4. Please describe your management style, how you work with department heads and employees and
your expectations for City employees in maintaining a productive and professional work place.
5. How do you work with elected officials and/or department heads that have strong personalities and
differing opinions, work to build consensus and incorporate their positions into final solutions
and/or recommendations?
6. The City deals with complex issues that the City Manager and staff have professional knowledge
of and expertise in. Discuss with us your prefened style of communication, how you will keep the
Mayor and Commission informed about on-going issues projects and operations and how you
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NOVEMBER 10, 2014
analyze complex information and simplify it so everyone can understand it. What are your
expectations of City staff in preparation of reports for the governing body?
7. How do you perceive the role of citizens groups in the decision making process and how do you
engage them? Describe for us a situation that you were involved with that was resolved by
proactively reaching out to citizens and/or citizens groups and how you incorporated their ideas
into the final decision that needed to be made.
8. The City Commission has laid out a clear mission statement which is supplemented by a strategic
plan. Please provide us your thoughts in regard how you might work with the Commission to
realize the City's mission and how you would work to implement the City's strategic plan.
9. The City of Atlantic Beach provides a comprehensive set of services ranging from public works to
utilities (water and sewer distribution/collection) to planning to recreation. Briefly describe for us
your experience in municipal operations and where you feel your strengths and weaknesses lie.
10. What is your philosophy and style in preparation of budgets and what do you feel the Manager's
role is in the budget process? Also, please outline your experience as a Manager in dealing with
financial management issues (i.e. internal operating policies, capital plans, etc.). How do you work
to identify trends in financing and 'smooth out' periods of declining revenues to ensure the City's
solvency?
11. The City has a mix of many smaller and mid-size businesses. Please describe your experience and
views on redevelopment issues and maintaining and expanding a successful economic
development program. What has been your experience in working with redevelopment issues and
retention of existing business, recruiting new business and redevelopment programs? What do you
feel is the right 'mix' of business in a community and what are some of the 'pitfalls' of
redevelopment and economic efforts a community may face?
12. The City has a potential area for redevelopment. What has been your experience in working with
redevelopment projects? What are some of the pitfalls we should be aware of?
13. All local government managers strive to make their organization better. Give some specific
examples of how you have made your current or previous organization better. How would you
work to make Atlantic Beach a better place knowing what you know about the City?
14. Please tell us about your experience and understanding of urban and environmental planning and
zoning issues. What do you believe is the Manager's role in dealing with the development
community and issues that arise with developers and citizens in this area?
15. As you offer your closing remarks and prepare to ask us any questions you may have, knowing
what you know and seeing what you've seen what are the factors that most likely will influence
your decision to accept the manager's position if it is offered to you?
Each candidate responded to the questions above and explained their background, experience, goals
and plans for the City. The Commission offered each candidate the opportunity to ask questions and
the Commission responded to those questions and each candidate gave their closing remarks.
Mr. Anzivino explained the next steps in the process.
2. Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors
Mayor Woods opened the Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors. She welcomed the audience and
explained the process for public comments.
Chris Jorgensen, 92 W. 3rd Street, expressed his concern about the timeline and longevity of the
candidates. Stated he was impressed with all of the candidates.
Mark Tomaski, 448 Snapping Turtle Ct. W., believes whoever becomes the City Manager should
live here, as it is cunently in the Charter.
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NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Sally Clemens, 1638 Park Terrace West, stated this was a learning process and the Commission has
some deep thinking to do.
No one else from the audience spoke, so Mayor Woods closed the Courtesy of the Floor to Visitors.
3. Rank Candidates
The Commission ranked each of the candidates as follows:
Daugherty* Hill Mark Beckenbach Woods
Shang
Kutney
VanLiere
Middaugh
Booth
4
2
3
1
5
5
3
1
2
4
1
5
3
2
4
1
4
2
3
5
*Commissioner Daugherty called in his rankings to Ms. Berry.
5
2
1
4
3
Following the rankings by each of the Commissioners, the total rankings were:
1. VanLiere
2. Middaugh
3. Shang and Kutney (tied)
4. Booth
Following discussion of the rankings, the Commission determined they would bring back two
applicants, Middaugh and VanLiere, for a second interview.
Further discussion ensued.
Adjournment
Mayor Woods stated she wanted to say she appreciates everybody's commitment to this process and to
let anybody who is listening know that they can call, email or contact the Commission with their
insight and they are happy to have it. Commissioner Hill thanked staff for the long day. There being
no other business, the meeting adjourned at 5:27pm.
Carolyn Woods
Mayor
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