05-07-2014 HUCMMINUTES
Special Meeting — Hutchinson Utilities Commission
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Call to order — 7:00 a.m.
President Hanson called the meeting to order. Members present: President Anthony
Hanson; Vice President Monty Morrow; Commissioner Dwight Bordson; Commissioner
Mark Girard; Commissioner Donna Luhring; Attorney Marc Sebora; Interim General
Manager John Webster.
Guest present: Craig Bishop
1. Consideration of Approval of the General Manager's Contract
President Hanson explained the special meeting was called for consideration of
approval of the general manager's contract. The contract is for three years with a
tentative start date of May 27, 2014. President Hanson thanked Commissioner
Bordson, City Human Resources Director Brenda Ewing and Attorney Sebora for
negotiating the contract.
Vice President Morrow questioned the negotiation of carrying over vacation time
with HUC inheriting the liability of approximately $18,000 for those banked hours.
Commissioner Bordson explained negotiating banked hours is common practice.
Vice President Morrow stated he has received calls from citizens asking to justify
his position of approving this contract and that he could not justify the qualifications
and salary so he will be voting against the approval of the contract.
Commissioner Girard stated he thinks it's fair for both sides. President Hanson
agreed with Commissioner Girard. Commissioner Bordson stated the salary
negotiated is below the governor's salary cap. The Board was looking to fill the
management component for the general manager position with that position relying
on the expertise of the directors and managers in the natural gas and electric
divisions.
A motion was made by Commissioner Luhring, seconded by Commissioner Girard
to approve the contract with Jeremy Carter as the new general manager. Motion
passed 4 tot.
Attorney Sebora stated City Human Resources Director Brenda Ewing and he will
present the contract to Mr. Jeremy Carter for his signature.
2. Items from the Floor
Guest, Craig Bishop, asked what the interview process was for the general
manager's position. City Human Resources Director Brenda Ewing explained an
posting was placed in local and state -wide newspapers, along with municipal and
professional web sites of which gets spread over the country. HUC received a total
of 19 applications. The applications were reviewed to see who met minimum
1
requirements of the position. Those applications were then reviewed by four of the
five commissioners. Commissioner Girard was unavailable to review them due to
travel. Four out of the top five candidates accepted an interview.
Mr. Bishop also asked if the salary is comparable to others in this type of position.
Commissioner Bordson responded that the salary was benchmarked to the market
and is on the average.
Commissioner Bordson mentioned he has received feedback from citizens that
are supportive of the candidate.
Mr. Bishop questioned the vacation being carried over. City Human Resource
Director Brenda Ewing explained it's not a carry over but with a position of this type
and caliber a figure is negotiated. Mr. Carter currently has a balance with the City
after working there for seven years so it was negotiated.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Bordson,
seconded by Commissioner Luhring to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 a.m. Motion was
unanimously carried.
Mark 6irard, Secretary
ATTEST: VV V, ei�, � -k�
Anthony Hanso , Presid t
2
MINUTES
Special Meeting — Hutchinson Utilities Commission
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Call to order — 7:00 a.m.
President Hanson called the meeting to order. Members present: President Anthony
Hanson; Vice President Monty Morrow; Commissioner Dwight Bordson; Commissioner
Mark Girard; Commissioner Donna Luhring; Attorney Marc Sebora; Interim General
Manager John Webster.
Guest present: Craig Bishop
1. Consideration of Approval of the General Manager's Contract
President Hanson explained the special meeting was called for consideration of
approval of the general manager's contract. The contract is for three years with a
tentative start date of May 27, 2014. President Hanson thanked Commissioner
Bordson, City Human Resources Director Brenda Ewing and Attorney Sebora for
negotiating the contract.
Vice President Morrow questioned the negotiation of carrying over vacation time
with HUC inheriting the liability of approximately $18,000 for those banked hours.
Commissioner Bordson explained negotiating banked hours is common practice.
Vice President Morrow stated he has received calls from citizens asking to justify
his position of approving this contract and that he could not justify the qualifications
and salary so he will be voting against the approval of the contract.
Commissioner Girard stated he thinks it's fair for both sides. President Hanson
agreed with Commissioner Girard. Commissioner Bordson stated the salary
negotiated is below the governor's salary cap. The Board was looking to fill the
management component for the general manager position with that position relying
on the expertise of the directors and managers in the natural gas and electric
divisions.
A motion was made by Commissioner Luhring, seconded by Commissioner Girard
to approve the contract with Jeremy Carter as the new general manager. Motion
passed 4 tot.
Attorney Sebora stated City Human Resources Director Brenda Ewing and he will
present the contract to Mr. Jeremy Carter for his signature.
2. Items from the Floor
Guest, Craig Bishop, asked what the interview process was for the general
manager's position. City Human Resources Director Brenda Ewing explained an
posting was placed in local and state -wide newspapers, along with municipal and
professional web sites of which gets spread over the country. HUC received a total
of 19 applications. The applications were reviewed to see who met minimum
requirements of the position. Those applications were then reviewed by four of the
five commissioners. Commissioner Girard was unavailable to review them due to
travel. Four out of the top five candidates accepted an interview.
Mr. Bishop also asked if the salary is comparable to others in this type of position.
Commissioner Bordson responded that the salary was benchmarked to the market
and is on the average.
Commissioner Bordson mentioned he has received feedback from citizens that
are supportive of the candidate.
Mr. Bishop questioned the vacation being carried over. City Human Resource
Director Brenda Ewing explained it's not a carry over but with a position of this type
and caliber a figure is negotiated. Mr. Carter currently has a balance with the City
after working there for seven years so it was negotiated.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Bordson,
seconded by Commissioner Luhring to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 a.m. Motion was
unanimously carried.
ATTEST:
Anthony Hanson, President
2
Mark Girard, Secretary