City Council Minutes

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City of Northville
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
December 1, 2005 – 5:00 PM

Mayor Christopher Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Northville City Hall Council Chambers, 215 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan.

ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Christopher Johnson, Mayor ProTem Carolann Ayers, Council members James Allen, Michele Fecht, and Thomas Swigart.

Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nicolette Bateson, and Deputy City Clerk Carol Kasprowicz

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion Ayers, seconded by Fecht to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

INTERVIEWS OF SEARCH FIRMS

Three executive search firms were interviewed for the purpose of aiding the City Council in recruiting candidates for the position of City Manager. The consultants and their respective firms were:

• Bob Slavin of Slavin Management Consultants
• Chuck Dobbins of Baenziger & Associates
• Steve Bernard of The PAR Group.

Each consultant presented their firm’s history, philosophy, methodology, and experience in recruiting key personnel for both private and public entities. Council posed questions to each consultant regarding the process of recruitment, the time frame involved in selecting possible candidates, staff and community input in the selection process, method of communication with Council during the process, media interaction, assistance in interviewing the candidates, possible contract negotiations, and follow through after selection of the successful candidate.

Upon completion of the interviews, Council discussed the specific attributes of each firm as presented by the consultant. It was agreed that all three firms were qualified and had given strong presentations. Hesitancy was expressed at being the first Michigan client for one of the firms, and being fitted into a predetermined recruitment program. A comfort level was expressed with the firms that spoke of customizing the recruitment process to the requirements expressed by Council and staff. Council determined that both the Slavin Management Consultants and The PAR Group would be suitable as the City’s search firm. However, due to their location and extensive experience in Michigan and their ease in being accessible to Council, The PAR Group was selected as the search firm.

Motion Ayers, seconded by Allen to retain The PAR Group for the professional fee of $14,500, plus $4,500 in reimbursable expenses, and a charge of $125 per finalist candidate for education verification and court/credit/motor vehicle records searches, and $40 per finalist candidate for print media searches, and further authorize the Mayor to sign the contract on behalf of the City. Motion carried unanimously.

Staff was directed to arrange interviews as soon as possible with Steve Bernard and Council members, significant members of the community, and staff.

COMMUNICATIONS

A. Mayor and Council Communications – None

B. Staff Communications – None

There being no further business before Council, the meeting was adjourned.

Adjournment: 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Deputy City Clerk