01 12 23 Special Work Session MinutesCity Council Work Session January 12, 2023
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City of New Hope
4401 Xylon Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55428
City Council Minutes
Special Work Session Meeting
January 12, 2023
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 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL Council present:
Kathi Hemken, Mayor
John Elder, Council Member (listened by phone; arrived at 6:32 pm)
Andy Hoffe, Council Member (arrived at 6:17 pm)
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, HR Specialist/IT Coordinator
CITY MANAGER
RECRUITMENT
FIRMS
PRESENTATIONS
Item 11.1
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.1, Presentations by recruitment firms
for city manager position.
Mr. Rich Johnson, director of HR/administrative services, introduced Pat Melvin with
David Drown and Associates (DDA). Mr. Johnson stated DDA was the firm that recently
handled Crystal’s city manager search. He explained that he did reach out to other
agencies who are currently unavailable to offer assistance including Craig Waldron who
managed Robbinsdale’s search, Baker Tilly who handled Golden Valley’s search in 2015,
and Gov HR USA.
Mr. Pat Melvin, DDA Human Resources, Inc., was recognized. He indicated the
company has been in business for 21 years and specializes in recruitment for cities and
counties in Minnesota. Mr. Melvin shared recruitments underway or recently
completed. He described the various phases of the process including development of
position profile, advertisement and recruitment, initial screening and review, selection,
offer, and periodic contact with the new manager for the first year of employment.
Mr. Melvin responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Hemken inquired whether the $23,000 proposed in all‐inclusive.
Mr. Melvin stated the $23,000 fee includes professional services and all expenses
including video interviews, travel, advertising, personality index, intellectual profile,
background checks on all finalists and a two‐year guarantee. He stated DDA will redo
the recruitment search for expenses if the city manager leaves the city within two years.
Council thanked Mr. Melvin for the presentation.
City Council Work Session January 12, 2023
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Following discussion, Council agreed to utilize the services of DDA for the city manager
search and directed staff to notify Mr. Melvin of the city’s decision. Mr. Johnson stated
the item will be placed on the January 23 Council Meeting agenda for formal approval.
DISCUSS CITY
MANAGER MOA
Item 11.2
Mayor Hemken introduced for discussion item 11.2, Discussion regarding continuation
of Memorandum of Understanding between Tim Hoyt and the City of New Hope for
Director of Police and Acting City Manager.
Mayor Hemken asked Council to consider a wage increase for Hoyt to retain him as
acting city manager/police chief during the city manager search process. She indicated
Hoyt is willing to continue as acting city manager and police chief during the transition.
Director Johnson reported that Hoyt’s annual salary was set at $148,000 on April 1, 2022;
$156,706 on June 2, 2022; and $161,407 on January 2, 2023 (3% increase similar to other
non‐union employees). He stated Hoyt’s salary will be readjusted at the time of
reassignment to Police Director to the level he would have experienced as Police
Director in accordance with the city’s pay plan. Council indicated it may be
advantageous if Hoyt continues in the dual role a short time after the new city manager
is hired, and if so, the salary adjustment should be gradual.
Council agreed on an additional 5% salary increase for Hoyt retroactive to January 2,
2023. Director Johnson indicated the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding
and salary adjustment will be placed on the January 23 Council Meeting agenda for
formal approval.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m. as there was no further business to come before
the Council at its work session.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone, City Clerk