The meeting commenced with an agenda modification specifically addressing candidates for the interim City Administrator role. Confusion arose over a public notice that referred to the gathering as both a special meeting and a workshop, leading to concerns about public clarity. The council acknowledged the notice was timely but contained typographical errors that could mislead the public.

Attention then shifted to the interim City Administrator candidates. A council member expressed confusion about public discussions on candidates when no formal disclosure had been made. The mayor clarified they had reached out to potential candidates based on provided names, emphasizing no formal recommendations were made. This led to a discussion on whether the council had authorized the mayor to contact candidates. The mayor explained that in the absence of an administrator, they assumed the role of acting head of the city.

Tensions escalated as the council debated the mayor’s authority and the procedural aspects of the candidate selection process. One council member insisted on clarifying the authorization of the mayor’s actions, stressing that individual council members do not hold administrative authority. The mayor urged the council to focus on the candidates rather than procedural debates. Another member highlighted the importance of having an interim administrator during budget season, advocating for continued discussions on the candidates.

The urgency of filling the interim position was debated, with some council members expressing confidence in existing city staff to manage operations without an interim administrator. They questioned the necessity of making a decision in the meeting rather than waiting for further discussions. The mayor reiterated the importance of discussing the candidates to maintain effective city operations.

The discussion then shifted to the candidates: Mr. Bonek and Mr. Wo. Mr. Bonek was noted for his previous experience with the city in planning and zoning administration, with several council members expressing confidence in his familiarity with city policies. His extensive background as a city manager in various locations was seen as beneficial for a smooth transition into the interim role. However, there was hesitation regarding Mr. Wo, with concerns raised about potential red flags in his background.

Council members emphasized the importance of considering internal candidates for the interim position. A council member expressed support for interviewing both candidates to clarify concerns, particularly around Mr. Wo, who had been let go from another city. They argued that presenting multiple options was beneficial for transparency and public perception, even though Mr. Bonek was favored for his experience and ability to “hit the ground running.”

Questions were raised about the suitability of considering a candidate recently let go due to inefficiencies. One member questioned the logic of bringing someone into the community who had struggled to form necessary relationships with city staff. Another member expressed a desire to evaluate the wage expectations of both candidates to ensure fair negotiations.

Ultimately, a preference emerged to interview Mr. Bonek while opening the process to current city staff members. A motion was proposed to schedule an interview process for Mr. Bonek and allow interested staff members to apply by a specified deadline. The council agreed to adhere to a three-day notice requirement for meetings, pushing the timeline for interviews to the following week. Dates tentatively considered were the 18th, 19th, or 20th, depending on Mr. Bonek’s availability and staff submissions.

Further discussions highlighted the importance of having all council members present for the interviews. One member suggested the 20th as the most viable option due to scheduling conflicts on the other dates. A consensus formed around this date, pending final communication with Mr. Bonek. The council aimed to finalize the interview date and time.

The council collectively agreed to aim for the 20th. This arrangement aimed to allow for a productive interview process and provide an opportunity for any city staff member interested in the interim position to apply. The motion to formalize this plan passed with unanimous support.