12 19 22 Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session December 19, 2022
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Work Session Meeting
December 19, 2022
Northwood Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER The New Hope City Council met in work session pursuant to due call and notice thereof;
Mayor Hemken called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL Council present:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
John Elder, Council Member
Andy Hoffe, Council Member
Michael Isenberg, Council Member
Jonathan London, Council Member
Staff present:
Tim Hoyt, Acting City Manager
Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services
Valerie Leone, City Clerk
Walker MacBeath, Human Resources Coordinator/IT Coord.
CITY MANAGER
VACANCY
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Discussion regarding options for
the City Council to consider in filling the city manager vacancy.
Mr. Rich Johnson, Director of HR/Admin. Services, provided history of Council’s
actions since March 7, 2022. He stated the Memorandum of Understanding with Tim
Hoyt serving as acting city manager was originally set to expire December 1, 2022, and
was extended until February 1, 2023. At this time Council is asked to consider options
such as:
Retain a firm to conduct an external recruitment process to fill the city manager
vacancy (forecasted to take 4‐5 months)
Fill the city manager vacancy internally
Fill the role internally by creating a director of police/city manager position
Other
Mr. Johnson explained the contributions to the police and fire pension plan compared
to the coordinated PERA plan. He noted the city does not pay the 6.2% social security
to employees who are enrolled in the police/fire pension PERA. He stated the PERA
board is reviewing the eligibility of the dual role. Mr. Johnson stated the management
team supports Hoyt’s appointment to the dual role. He commented that the
management team has strong directors and support staff. He stated whenever a
vacancy occurs in the city, staff evaluates whether the position should be filled in its
current capacity modified in some way, or not filled at all. He pointed out the labor
agreements are in place until December 31, 2025, and good union relationships are in
place.
Mr. Johnson reviewed costs for Council’s consideration regarding the city manager
vacancy including compensation of city managers in New Hope’s comparable cities
group and the projected savings of a blended city manager/police chief role.
City Council Work Session December 19, 2022
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He asked Council to review the job descriptions of city manager and director of police
for discussion purposes and encouraged Council to conduct a respectful, meaningful
dialogue.
Discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of a dual role (police chief/city manager)
and reasons it may work in New Hope, cost savings, Hoyt’s management style
including delegation, succession planning, the city’s ability to have separate traditional
city manager and police chief positions.
Hoyt explained future goals such as strengthening the city’s relationship with the
school district and conducting critical incident planning with the district, pursuing
innovative ideas for community involvement, continuing important communications
such as the Friday memo, working with community development department on the
rental registration program to strengthen sense of community, and conducting RFPs
for consulting firms.
Council Member Hoffe noted Hoyt has performed well over the past six months and
has the support and trust of directors.
Council discussed the city’s vulnerability of filling two important positions in the
future if Hoyt was appointed to serve in the dual role and later resigned or retired.
Council Member Elder commented regarding the succession planning in the police
department and the likelihood of an internal promotion for a future police chief.
Mayor Hemken inquired of a contract and severance package for a city manager
position. Mr. Johnson stated the appointee and Council would have to agree on a
salary/benefits package and the contract language. He noted per state law the
maximum severance package allowed for a public employee is six months’ wages.
Council Member London commented on the perception of a conflict of interest with a
dual role. He emphasized the importance of weighing all the pros and cons. He
indicated he would like to hear from other city managers as to why they don’t hold a
dual role. He noted a police chief is usually held accountable by a city manager.
Mayor Hemken stated additional discussion could occur at the January work session
and a formal vote could take place at the January 23 Council Meeting.
Discussion ensued regarding seeking public input from the community. Council
members shared communication received to date on the dual role issue.
Council agreed to hold an open forum for public input at the January 9 Council
Meeting and directed staff to advertise through various communication resources.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m. as there was no further business to come
before the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk