HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-24 - Council Work Session Minutes Lino Lakes City Council
Work Session
Minutes
DATE: December 9, 2024
TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 6:26 P.M.
LOCATION: Community Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty Councilmembers Cavegn, Lyden, Stoesz and
Ruhland (arrived at 6:02 PM)
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Staff Members Present: City Administrator Dave Pecchia, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, HR &
Communications Manager Meg Sawyer, Finance Director Hannah Lynch, Community
Development Director Michael Grochala, City Planner Katie Larsen, Public Safety Director John
Swenson, City Engineer Diane Hankee, and Environmental Coordinator Tom Hoffman.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Mayor Rafferty called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Setting the Agenda:Addition or Deletion of Agenda Items
The City Administrator requested to include an update on the Citygate study.
Motion to add Item 3A, Citygate Update to the agenda.
RESULT: CARRIED [5-0]
MOVER: Stoesz
SECONDER: Lyden
AYES: Rafferty, Cavegn, Lyden, Ruhland and Stoesz
NAYS: None
3. A.—Citygate Update
The Interim City Administrator stated that a S.W.O.T. survey'was sent to all public safety
staff by Citygate. He asked if the City Council would like to call a meeting to allow
Citygate time to conduct interviews with the full Council or if they would like to set up
meeting times in advance with Citygate to provide individual responses and then host a
full Council meeting to discuss. He reiterated that he is the contact person between
Citygate and the consultant per prior Council direction. That in order to maintain the
integrity of the study preliminary results/data should not be shared outside of the chain
of command.
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Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to work with Citygate at an individual level to
provide Councilmember interview responses and to schedule a full Council Meeting to
discuss the results of the interviews.
The Interim City Administrator stated that he would contact Citygate regarding holding a
full Council discussion at the February 3, 2025 Work Session and setting up individual
interviews prior to that date.
B. - City Administrator and Finance Director Hiring Update
The HR & Communications Manager provided an overview of the City Administrator
search process. She stated that staff reviewed three quotes for services and
recommends contracting with DDA Human Resources to conduct the search process.
She stated that a May 2025 hiring date is identified. She stated that the firm offers a
two-year grantee. She presented an overview of the DDA Human Resources proposal,
job description and market rate study.
Councilmember Ruhland requested that a market rate comparison of benefits also be
prepared.
Councilmember Ruhland requested further clarification on the two-year guarantee.
The HR & Communications Manager provided an overview of the proposed guarantee
and stated that staff will confirm further with the vendor as well.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to contract with DDA Human Resources for the
2025 City Administrator executive search process.
The HR & Communications Manager stated that with the resignation of the Finance
Director effective, January 2025, staff recommends hiring an Interim Finance Director.
She stated that Ehlers &Associates now offers an Interim Finance Director contracting
option. She stated that as Ehlers &Associates is the current City Financial Advising firm,
they are familiar with our budget and finances. She stated that they have an identified
candidate for the consideration of the city.
Councilmember Stoesz questioned if the IT function should be moved from the Finance
Department to another division.
Finance Director Hannah Lynch stated that the City contracts with the consortium,
Metro IT for IT services. She stated that as a result this function can remain under the
direction of the Interim Finance Director.
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The HR & Communications Manager summarized that she would bring the contract for
services back at a Regular Meeting for formal action.
4. Adjournment
Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m.
These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on January 13, 2025.
Roberta Colotti, CMC Rob Mferty,
City Clerk Mayor
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