Minutes - 1999/09/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Member Thomason stated Council Member Stigney had brought forward some valid concerns. She stated in regard to someone coming in and using the system in order to get their "feet wet, "having been in management and a supervisor for approximately 20 years, that is the name of the game, and is why you would accept a position. She stated the average length of employment of a person coming in to a position is approximately three years, because they do want to gain experience and then move on. Council Member Thomason stated she had come into a position as an assistant to her manager, when she was in mortgage banking. She explained that if she was not promoted within a year and a half, she was going to move on, because the point was to become a manager herself. She explained she had done this several times, adding that when you get into upper management, this is the name of the game. Council Member Thomason stated that this would be an ideal position to fill with an intern, a secretary or an assistant, however, in today's work force this is par for the course. She stated Ms. Reed has indicated she would like to make a commitment, and it will be three years before she will be earning her currently salary. Council Member Stigney stated this was his point in regard to an intern, because the person would not be staying with the City regardless. He stated that if they are looking for someone to remain with the City, they should consider elevating a secretarial position to perform both functions, which would probably provide for along-term person. Mayor Coughlin stated that essentially they were not dust hmng a warm body, they were hmng a collection of skills and abilities. He explained that if you want a particular level of skills and abilities you have to pay for it. City Administrator Whiting stated he certainly took all the comments into consideration. He stated Council Member Stigney was correct in that he is aware of his position on this matter. He stated they had discussed this on several occasions, and certainly disagreed. He stated it was not so much that he disagreed with Council Member Stigney's point of view, but that he was attempting to exercise his judgement in regard to what is best for the City and the City Council, not just himself. He stated he believed that by investing in good people, based upon their abilities, the return you receive for the investment makes sense. He stated that if the employee is good enough to move on in time that is acceptable. He explained that not everyone is motivated by finances, and most people who enter the public service field are not motivated by the money that they make. City Administrator Whiting stated he believed that the individual he has indicated will do a very good job. He stated regardless of how the vote goes, if the hiring is done, he would certainly hope and request that the Council would support the individual once that position is in place, regardless of the non-personal nature of the viewpoints expressed. He stated those matters were always up for scrutiny, however, he believed the intentions were honorable. He stated that some of the issues brought forward could certainly be discussed, whether they are in regard to where • his time is spent, or where the Council wants him to spend his time, and he is open to that discussion at any time.