COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 4/12/2005
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO A pproved – 5/12/05
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD APRIL 12, 2005 Audio Available
Mayor Slocomb called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. Those present recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Roll call: Aldermen Salentine, Patterson, Buckmaster, Borgman, Melcher, Schroeder, Madden,
Mayor Slocomb, and Clerk-Treasurer Moyer were present.
Clerk-Treasurer Moyer stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting
law.
NEW BUSINESS
Discuss City Administrator Position with Officials from Other Municipalities - Diane Gard, City
Administrator for the City of Oconomowoc, Barbara Blumenfield, City Administrator for the City of
Oak Creek, and Tim Seider, Mayor for the City of Greenfield had been invited to the meeting for
the discussion regarding the city administrator position. The guests made the following
comments:
Mayor Tim Seider – stated that the City of Greenfield benefited from a director of human
resources/administrative services employee. Outside consultant and attorney fees were
reduced when this person was able to take care of most human resource matters and
labor negotiations. He felt strongly that the three key positions a City of any size needs is
a director of finance with a CPA designation, a full-time administrator trained in public
administration, and a full-time mayor. He felt that a full-time mayor would allow time for
that individual to represent the City at the county and state level, work on development
issues, and meet with citizen groups. The City of Greenfield still needed a finance
director in addition to the human resources/administrative services employee. The day-
to-day administration by a full-time person had paid dividends to the City of Greenfield by
providing services at the lowest cost to the residents. He also felt it was very important to
have a detailed job description for an administrator which clearly describes authority,
responsibility, and reporting.
City Administrator Diane Gard – described her employment with the City of
Oconomowoc. She began as the Finance Director and was then chosen to replace the
long-time administrator when he retired. She felt that a CPA designation is very
important for a finance director. She also stated that the rolls of the mayor and
administrator should be clearly defined before an individual is hired for the position. She
had reviewed the draft job description and felt that the finance area will suffer because of
the variety of duties included in the draft. There are too many duties other than finance
that will probably have the person prioritizing their duties, which could leave the finance
area lacking. She handed out copies of the job description and related municipal code
for the administrator and finance director.
City Administrator Barbara Blumenfield – stated that the City should not under cut wages
and benefits for an administrator, if the Common Council decides to go with an
administrator. She felt that it would be difficult to have a part-time mayor if an
administrator is hired. A part-time mayor would probably have other employment and the
mayor’s hours may be limited to evenings. An administrator can benefit a community by
coming up with new ideas and concepts that other staff may not have the time to
research or investigate because they are so busy with their own jobs. She had reviewed
the City of Muskego’s draft of the administrator job description. She felt it was a good
start, but that it needed some revision. She felt a contract was important because boards
and councils change. This would give the administrator some insulation from the politics
of a community. Also, the City should be very public when considering whether or not to
create an administrator position.
The Committee of the Whole Members thanked the guests for taking the time to attend the
meeting and for their input.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW – none
presented.
ADJOURNMENT – Motion by Alderman Buckmaster, second by Alderman Borgman to
adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Moyer, CMC, CMTW
Clerk-Treasurer