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07-28-21 CCM Special Meeting (Council Interviews)HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 - 5:00 P.M. CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS Call to Order — 5:00 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 — Morgan Baum 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? Baum is a Hutchinson native and graduated from Hutchinson High School. Baum graduated from UW-River Falls with a BA in political science and received a Master of Science in Fundraising & Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. Baum worked at Consumer Reports for 12 years and in 2016 moved back to Hutchinson and purchased her family business, Clay Coyote Gallery & Pottery. 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. As a leader, likes to involve as many people as possible. Baum believes you need to build people's trust when and while making decisions. Baum explained that she was part of the Blandin Leadership program in 2020. Baum likened herself to the ideas of Abraham Lincoln, who surrounded himself with people who had opposing thoughts and ideas. She is open to other ideas and believes it is essential. 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? Baum noted that she knows being a council member has a large time commitment. Baum stated that it has been her goal to be a part of the Council since she graduated from high school. She stated that she has attended almost every Council meeting and workshop since she moved back to Hutchinson. In addition, she reads every Council packet prior to Council meetings. Also, she has and would continue to meet with city staff to understand topics better. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Ensure health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the city. She believes a council member needs to work with each and every council member and no one should have a personal agenda. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? Quality services, create and sustain a health business community and infrastructure, uphold community values without overtaxing residents and using property taxes wisely. Baum stated that trust is a huge factor, amongst council members and amongst residents. It's being agreeable to having residents approach you at all times to have conversations and answer questions. What is your long-term vision for this community? Keeping Hutchinson affordable for everybody. She wants all residents to feel prosperous. What are some of the current needs of the community and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed to the position? A caretaker is needed right now with the vacant seat and that person needs to be ready to go on day one — deal with the 2022 tax levy, American Rescue Fund and growing tax base on the business side. How will you go about getting input from the community on decisions you have to make? Baum will talk to people and gather their feedback and truly try to work together. Czmowski noted that Baum has been painted as extremely liberal by members of the community and he asked how she would address that. Baum stated that she is not as liberal as those who have painted her that way and explained work she has done with the Republican party. Also believes in equal rights, etc. However, she does not feel that the Council should be divided by politics or political affiliation. 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? . Baum sees serving as a council member as her calling and as a job with the residents being the bosses. She assured she will work for the residents and together with all of the council members. She is fiscally responsible who will continue to learn. Interview No. 2 — Justin Williams 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? Williams attended Berkley, UC-Hastings Law School and has been practicing law for 20 years mainly in municipal law. Williams has always been interested in local government and during the pandemic received personal clarity on goals he has. He moved back to Hutchinson realizing community and family was the most important as this is where he grew up. He likes the smaller population of the city, tight -knit, and built on family values. 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 being cognizant of your role — serving the people you are managing. The most important skill of leadership is listening, being available and being transparent. Williams has managed firms and offices throughout his career. 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 learned a lot "through the grapevine" by listening to friends'/neighbors' conversations. He has also learned of things through the local newspaper. He will get up -to -speed by watching and learning from other council members and staff. He will do his homework, ask questions and gather all information available to him. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Role would be of student and utility player — try to understand current issues, what are objectives and procedures/protocols. His role would be to fill in where needed or be tasked with assignments. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? Williams believes the role of local government is to serve, protect and facilitate the community. He believes local governments should not give hand-outs, but give hand - ups. Local governments should also plan responsibly — especially with finances and infrastructure. What is your long-term vision for this community? Williams long-term vision is to retain the sense of community and small-town charm. What are some of the current needs of the community and what do you hope to accomplish if appointed to the position? All communities need good police/fire protection and is very important. How will you go about getting input from the community on decisions you have to make? Williams noted he would be accessible to anyone that would wish to speak with him about topics. He would accept communication by any means — in person, via email, via phone. 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? Williams noted that he really has a passion and intention to be involved in the community. Interview No. 3 — Jared Golde 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? Graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2002. Was in the military for 10 years, has a Master's Degree in Industrial Relations. He has worked in human resources management and now works as a special investigator with the Department of Corrections. He wishes to serve on the City Council because this is his home — he wants to make his children proud, serve the citizens, and it is his passion. 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. Leaders empower others — do more together — servant/leadership model. Team oriented, consistency, drive are skills he has. 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 watching Council meetings online. He would meet with each council member to get up -to -speed and prioritize what he needs to know the most. 4. Please explain to us what you believe your role will be as an appointed official serving on the City Council? Representative of the citizens of which they serve. Set city policy and other legislative functions. Brings experience and education to actively engage with the Council. 5. What do you believe the role of government is at the local level? Role to create and adopt physical, mental and economic safety of its constituents. What is your long-term vision for this community? Grow to become a larger economic hub. However, still value the small-town feel. Attract young professionals and retain them. Needs: affordable housing, costs of service, retail centers How will you go about getting input from the community on decisions you have to make? Grass roots approach — stay active in the community. Use media and social media. 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? Creating and updating policy and procedure, served on numerous state committees, no stranger to parliamentary procedure. Will work tirelessly on all matters. Matt Jaunich asked the Council how they would like to proceed in making the appointment. Council Member Christensen commented that all nine candidates were excellent and she would like time to digest all of the information presented. Mayor Forcier agreed. Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to set August 2, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. as a special meeting to discuss and appoint candidate to vacant council seat. Motion carried unanimously. The Council discussed methods to use to bring forth candidates' names and consider appointees. Motion by Czmowski, second by Sebesta, to adjourn at 6:25 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gary T. Forcier Mayor Matthew Jaunich City Administrator