07/13/1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JULY 13, 1998 Andy asked if Dave would be here to bring the new City Administrator up to speed. Dave said yes, and he would be available to answer questions in the future. Chis said he thought Nick was very bright and would lead with his chin. He noted that Nick and his family are from that area and he had everything to gain by being "one of the guys". That didn't happen, he chose to do what he felt was right. There was discussion about whether Nick would be in competition with the Mayor's position as leader of the City. Kim said that the Council would have to be sure that Nick knows what he can and cannot do. There is the issue of authority. Andy asked if salary was discussed. Kim explained that all the candidates were told that the salary would be about $74,000 per year with a $290 a month car allowance. Several other questions for Nick were discussed and then the City Council returned to the senior center at 5:05 p.m. to interview Nick a second time. Kim thanked Nick for coming to this second interview. She explained to him that he scored high in the interviews and tests and the purpose of this interview was to make sure that there is a personality and style fit with this City. The Council is looking for someone to work with staff and the community and build a better "team". She told him that the community is diverse, sometimes cynical and sometimes reactionary. The City needs someone to bring this community together. Chris told Nick the issue that was covered in the Virginia newspaper is a big issue. He said you took it upon yourself to do what you thought needed to be done. He asked Nick to discuss his part in this matter. Nick explained that Virginia is a small town with a newspaper that wants to run the town. The newspaper asked him to do something that he felt was not ethical. He further explained his part in the matter. Chris asked, in hindsight, would you have acted so quickly. Nick explained some of the important things that happened in the City under his direction and then said he would have done some things differently. Chris asked Nick how he handles criticism. Nick said not as well as he should. He said that a person has to recognize where the criticism is coming from. Kim asked Nick, in hindsight, how would you have handled the newspaper. Nick said he would ignore them. They printed articles that were not true and also printed his home telephone number and asked the residents to call him. He said it was a real learning experience but he should have ignored them. John noted that there is a local newspaper here and several other larger papers in the area. He said this may help keep the local newspaper more accountable. Kim explained that the Council has worked to build a better relationship with the local paper. PAGE 2