01-02-2015 CCMMINUTES
HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2,2015,9:00 A.M.
1. INSTALLATION OF NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
♦ MAYOR GARY T. FORCIER
♦ COUNCIL MEMBER MARY CHRISTENSEN
♦ COUNCIL MEMBER JOHN LOFDAHL
2. CALL TO ORDER — 9:00 A.M.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
(a) RESOLUTIONS
1. RESOLUTION NO. 14378 — APPOINTING MATTHEW JAUNICH AS CITY
ADMINISTRATOR FOR 2015
2. RESOLUTION NO. 14379 — DESIGNATING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AS
HUTCHINSON LEADER
3. RESOLUTION NO. 14377 - RESOLUTION DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES OF CITY
FUNDS IN COMMERCIAL BANKS AND INSTITUTIONS
(b) CONSIDERATION OF 2015 CITY CALENDAR
(c) CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS
Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to approve consent agenda. Motion carried
unanimously.
4. OLD BUSINESS
5. NEW BUSINESS
(a) RESOLUTION NO. 14380 - RESOLUTION DECLARING OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER
SEAT 3 VACANT
Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to approve Resolution No. 14380. Motion carried
unanimously.
(b) RESOLUTION NO. 14381 - RESOLUTION APPOINTING INTERIM COUNCIL MEMBER
TO COUNCIL SEAT 3
Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to appoint Bill Arndt to Council Seat 3 on an
interim basis. Motion carried unanimously.
(c) SELECTION OF COUNCIL'S VICE PRESIDENT
Motion by Christensen, second by Forcier, to select Chad Czmowski as Council's Vice President.
Motion carried unanimously.
(d) DESIGNATION OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS:
1. AIRPORT COMMISSION — Gary Forcier
2. CREEKSIDE ADVISORY BOARD — John Lofdahl
Organizational Meeting Minutes January 2, 2015
3. HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. BOARD (EDA) — Chad
Czmowski and Mary Christensen
4. HUTCHINSON HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA) — Gary
Forcier
6. JOINT PLANNING BOARD — (Vacant Council Seat) — Bill Arndt
7. LIBRARY BOARD — Mary Christensen
8. MID -MINNESOTA COMMISSION — (Vacant Council Seat) — Bill Arndt
9. PARKS, RECREATION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD — Chad
Czmowski
10. PLANNING COMMISSION — (Vacant Council Seat) — Bill Arndt
11. PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION — Mary Christensen
12. TREE BOARD — Gary Forcier
Marc Sebora explained the election process that will be followed to fill Council Seat 3. The first
election will be held in early May and if three or more people file for the seat the second election
or general election will be in late July.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, ratify Mayor's appointments and place Bill Arndt
on the boards and commissions where the vacant council seat is open. Motion carried
unanimously.
(c) DESIGNATION OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER COMMITTEES:
1. HUTCHINSON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION — Mary Christensen
2. RESOURCE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE — John Lofdahl and Gary Forcier
3. WAGE COMMITTEE — Chad Czmowski and Gary Forcier
4. CITY -SCHOOL DISTRICT JOINT PLANNING COMMITTEE — Chad Czmowski and
Gary Forcier
5. RADIO BOARD — Gary Forcier
6. SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE — (Vacant Council Seat)
Motion by Christensen, second by Lofdahl, to ratify Mayor's appointments and place Bill
Arndt on the Solid Waste Committee. Motion carried unanimously.
Marc Sebora explained that the EDA Director, Lee Miller, submitted his resignation to the City on
December 31, 2014. Mr. Sebora wished to speak with the Council regarding the filling of this
position. Council Member Czmowski noted that he had contacted former EDA Director, Miles
Seppelt, to see if he might be interested in returning to Hutchinson as the EDA Director. Mr.
Seppelt is currently in between employment. Steve Jansick, EDA President, spoke before the
Council and spoke of the attributes that Mr. Seppelt could bring back to the City of Hutchinson
and could easily step back in to the position. Council Member Czmowski explained that when
Mr. Miller was hired in June 2013, the candidate pool was very slim and he does not feel that a
search at this time would attract any candidates more qualified than Mr. Seppelt. Council Member
Czmowski stated that he serves on the EDA Board and there are several large projects in the
works that an experienced EDA Director can lead. He feels that there most likely won't be any
more qualified candidate than Mr. Seppelt. Council Member Christensen stated that she feels
perhaps the Council should have a special meeting and discuss this in more detail. Council
Organizational Meeting Minutes January 2, 2015
Member Lofdahl spoke of policy governance and noted that the city administrator is ultimately the
decision maker on filling director positions and it is not the Council's decision. Tim Ulrich,
former EDA President, noted that he has served on the EDA Board for over 20 years and it makes
the most sense to bring back a known commodity who served very successfully for 10 years with
the City of Hutchinson like Mr. Seppelt. Mr. Ulrich spoke of the necessity of having an individual
in the EDA Director's seat and the great success Mr. Seppelt had while he was employed with the
City. Both Council Members Lofdahl and Czmowski spoke about policy governance and City
Charter regulations and that the city administrator ultimately makes decisions on hiring positions.
Mayor Forcier stated that he feels the Council should have a discussion and some input on who is
hired in the EDA Director position.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to follow Charter regulations and authorize Marc
Sebora, interim city administrator, to hire who he sees fit for the EDA Director position. Roll call
vote was taken: Christensen — aye; Lofdahl — aye; Czmowsi — aye; Forcier — nay. Motion carried
3to1.
Mayor Forcier noted he feels the position should be advertised so that the City can find the best
candidate possible. Council Member Lofdahl referred back to policy governance.
Steve Jansick presented before the Council. Mr. Jansick thanked the Council for their decision on
Mr. Seppelt.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Czmowski, second by Forcier to adjourn at 9:30 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.