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07-26-21 CCM Special Meeting (Council Interviews)HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JULY 26, 2021 - 4:00 P.M. CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS Call to Order — 4:00 p.m. Mayor Gary Forcier called the meeting to order. Members present were Chad Czmowski, Mary Christensen and Dave Sebesta. Other present was Matt Jaunich, City Administrator. COUNCIL MEMBER INTERVIEWS The purpose of the meeting is to interview persons interested in being appointed to the vacant council member seat left by Brandon Begnaud. Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, asked questions of each interested person on behalf of the Council. Interview No. 1 — Carol Johnson 1. We would like to know a little bit more about your work experience and educational background and why you are interested in serving on the City Council? Ms. Johnson explained her educational background which includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Human Resources and in Nursing. She has experience in teaching as well and served in the military. Ms. Johnson explained that she cares for the community and that is her main driver for wanting to serve on the Council. 2. Please tell us a little bit about your leadership style. What do you consider to be important leadership qualities that you would bring to the City Council position? Please give us an example of how you have used your leadership style in your work/family. Leadership style is variable based on the needs of the group you are working with. She believes she is a transformational leader but also a good follower. She stated she leads by example. 3. What has been your current method/approach to educate yourself on city council - related issues? What will your approach be to get up -to -speed on everything (budgets, projects, etc.) that is currently going on? Current method/approach is attending council meetings, reading the local newspaper and getting together with members of the community. Approach will be to meet with City department heads, do her homework and get informed. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Will be filling a position as a member of the Council, make decisions that are well thought out and make decisions that benefit the entire community. Mayor Forcier asked Ms. Johnson how she would handle when constituents approach her and tell her the Council is doing the wrong thing. Ms. Johnson's response is that she would ask the constituents for their solution and take feedback as it comes. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? Ms. Johnson feels that local government is the most important form of government as it effects the residents directly. Local governments provide infrastructure, safety/security, good resources and a good place to raise families. Change should happen gradually. What is your long-term vision for this community? Continue on the road the city currently is with the community being vital. Ms. Johnson spoke of the concerns of losing retail businesses. She wants the city to continue to thrive. She would like the city to remain affordable and keep the resources available for children, such as the aquatic center. What are some of the current needs of the community and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed to the position? Assist people/businesses with recovering from the pandemic. 6. As we look to select an individual, is there anything else you would like for us to be aware of in you as a candidate? Ms. Johnson stated she is conservative and pro -life. She swears to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Interview No. 2 — Jeff Liestman 1. We would like to know a little bit more about your work experience and educational background and why you are interested in serving on the City Council? Liestman grew up on a family dairy farm near Paynesville and currently works as a maintenance engineer for the Hutchinson school district. Has always been interested in local government. 2. Please tell us a little bit about your leadership style. What do you consider to be important leadership qualities that you would bring to the City Council position? Please give us an example of how you have used your leadership style in your work/family. Liestman stated that he leads by doing. Liestman stated that he has served on local youth organizations and a coach for several years. 3. What has been your current method/approach to educate yourself on city council - related issues? What will your approach be to get up -to -speed on everything (budgets, projects, etc.) that is currently going on? Current method is to watch/attend every meeting. He would rely on fellow council members to get him up to speed on everything. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Be the voice of the people to bring them forward to the Council. Wants to be part of a group to make good decisions for the city. Will look at both sides fairly and even if disagrees with decisions, will carry them out. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? Look at future goals, community growth and is a legislative branch. What is your long-term vision for this community? He would propose to promote better relationships/involvement with police department and youth. What are some of the current needs of the community and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed to the position? Liestman thinks the community is great and wants to keep it that way. He believes current city leaders do a great job and he would like for that to continue. How will you go about getting input from the community on decisions you have to make? Liestman stated he would get out and talk to people, take phone calls and suggestions and use social media as an advantage. He stated he would do his best to inform people and do his best to correct misinformation. 6. As we look to select an individual, is there anything else you would like for us to be aware of in you as a candidate? Liestman stated that he is committed to being a council member — he will listen, set goals/objectives and will devote his time to the position. Interview No. 3 — Justin Doering We would like to know a little bit more about your work experience and educational background and why you are interested in serving on the City Council? Grew up on Iron Range, was in the military, Bachelor of Science degrees in Emergency Management & Disaster Service and Journalism. Recently moved to Hutchinson as a retiree and is very happy here. He would like to be engaged with the community and fill a void he has in his life. 2. Please tell us a little bit about your leadership style. What do you consider to be important leadership qualities that you would bring to the City Council position? Please give us an example of how you have used your leadership style in your work/family. Leadership style is to be decisive and follow through. 3. What has been your current method/approach to educate yourself on city council - related issues? What will your approach be to get up -to -speed on everything (budgets, projects, etc.) that is currently going on? He has visited with members of the community and has established new relationships that have become very valuable. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Doering stated he will serve as an informed team member. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? Government is more of an administrative function at the local level and not a place for partisan politics. This is an opportunity to make collective decisions for the residents of the community. What is your long-term vision for this community? He believes that Hutchinson is really on the right track and has a lot of prosperity that he would like to continue to contribute to. How will you go about getting input from the community on decisions you have to make? Doering stated he would visit with people on the decisions it would affect. 6. As we look to select an individual, is there anything else you would like for us to be aware of in you as a candidate? Education, experiences and training speak for themselves although he would like to emphasize his experience in the military, law enforcement and firefighting. He noted that he has a large breadth of expertise in the public service sector. Interview No. 4 — Pat May 1. We would like to know a little bit more about your work experience and educational background and why you are interested in serving on the City Council? Born and raised in Hutchinson, worked in bar/restaurant industry and wine/liquor sales. He has learned as a salesman that he needs to listen to people's needs and that's what he feels is the role of the City Council. He also feels that he now has the time to devote to the position. 2. Please tell us a little bit about your leadership style. What do you consider to be important leadership qualities that you would bring to the City Council position? Please give us an example of how you have used your leadership style in your work/family. Leadership style is listening to people, analyzing and making hard decisions for the good of the city. 3. What has been your current method/approach to educate yourself on city council - related issues? What will your approach be to get up -to -speed on everything (budgets, projects, etc.) that is currently going on? Current method is viewing City Council meetings online, reading the local newspaper on city issues. He would meet with other boards/commission to get up -to -speed. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Servant -leadership position, be open to all views and make good, analytical decisions. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? Social issues, cultural changes, state/federal mandates to follow, continue to be people -community oriented. What is your long-term vision for this community? Steady, managed growth, remain a strong regional center. Be smart, but aggressive in bringing in new businesses. What are some of the current needs of the community and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed to the position? The need for low-income housing is a concern for him. Another concern for him is lack of work force. Possibly increasing neighborhood watch. How will you go about getting input from the community on decision you have to make? He would count on the relationships he has all ready for feedback on issues. He is very approachable and would continue and hope that people would feel comfortable approaching him. 6. As we look to select an individual, is there anything else you would like for us to be aware of in you as a candidate? May stated that he truly loves this community, he's a lifelong resident and raised his three children here. He likes to get out and interact with people. He is willing to devote his time to the position. He is proud to call Hutchinson home. Interview No. 5 — Tim Burley 1. We would like to know a little bit more about your work experience and educational background and why you are interested in serving on the City Council? Burley was in the U.S. Army and then worked in various fields and now owns VetTap LLC. 2. Please tell us a little bit about your leadership style. What do you consider to be important leadership qualities that you would bring to the City Council position? Please give us an example of how you have used your leadership style in your work/family. Leadership style is direct and transparent — uses facts instead of emotions to make decisions. What has been your current method/approach to educate yourself on city council - related issues? What will your approach be to get up -to -speed on everything (budgets, projects, etc.) that is currently going on? Current method is to read about community issues and ask questions. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Role on the City Council would be to be a public servant and represent the residents of the city. When he served on previous City Councils, he would hold meet -and - greets to hear feedback and suggested solutions. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? To understand that the tax money raised is the residents money to make the community a better place — Council is about operating city functions. What is your long-term vision for this community? Growth with a purpose, especially economically. What are some of the current needs of the community and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed to the position? To come out of the pandemic economically strong, business retention and growth, strengthening and maintaining all aspects of the community. How will you go about getting input from the community on decisions you have to make? Burley likes face -to -fact contact and conversations. 6. As we look to select an individual, is there anything else you would like for us to be aware of in you as a candidate? Burley stated that Hutchinson is a positive, motivating city that he has put a lot of effort into because it is worth it. He has chosen to make Hutchinson his home because it is filled with great people. Interview No. 6 — Mark Carrigan 1. We would like to know a little bit more about your work experience and educational background and why you are interested in serving on the City Council? Carrigan is a Hutchinson High School graduate, attended St. John's with a B.A. in Psychology and then received his law degree from William Mitchell School of Law. He was the assistant city attorney for Pipestone where he attended Council meetings and Charter Commission meetings. He has been an attorney for 40+ years. His work experience has made him learn to listen, not pre judge and work out and analyze issues. His interest is being a servant to the City of Hutchinson. 2. Please tell us a little bit about your leadership style. What do you consider to be important leadership qualities that you would bring to the City Council position? Please give us an example of how you have used your leadership style in your work/family. Leadership style is collaborative and not confrontational and strive to reach consensus. He was class president of Hutchinson High School class size of 200 after coming from a private school with a class size of nine students. What has been your current method/approach to educate yourself on city council - related issues? What will your approach be to get up -to -speed on everything (budgets, projects, etc.) that is currently going on? Method/approach would be to read the last four months of City Council meetings and lean on other council members and staff to get him up -to -speed. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Carrigan considers this as a caretaker position and be a servant to the citizens of Hutchinson. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? He does not believe the role of local government is political. He believes the role is about good streets, good police/fire service, and good financial management. The focus is on what's best for the citizens of Hutchinson. What is your long-term vision for this community? Doesn't necessarily have one — likes the way things have been running and doesn't feel anything is lacking. What are some of the current needs of the community and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed to the position? He doesn't see needs other than the norm — adequate police/fire protection, good streets, balanced budgets. There is nothing specific to be accomplished. How will you go about getting input from the community on decisions you have to make? He would be receptive to people approaching him and communicating via electronic means. 6. As we look to select an individual, is there anything else you would like for us to be aware of in you as a candidate? He noted he will be gone for a week in September. He feels that people should have a little fun, do their best and try not to let things get too stressful. Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gary T. Forcier Mayor Matthew Jaunich City Administrator