07-01-83SpMtg JULY 1, 1983
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Delray
Beach, Florida, was called to order by Mayor Willard V. Young in the
Council Chambers at City Hall at 2:00 P.M., Friday, July 1, 1983.
1. Roll call showed:
Present - Council Member Malcolm T. Bird
Council Member Doak S. Campbell
Council Member Arthur Jackel
Council Member Edward L. Perry
Mayor %~illard V. Young
Absent - None
Also present were - Acting City Manager Elizabeth Arnau and
City Attorney Herbert W.A. Thiele.
Mayor Young called the meeting to order and announced that
this meeting has been called for the purpose of: (1) Re: City Manager.
1. Mayor Young advised that the purpose of this meeting is to
run over the resumes that have been received and it is his understanding
that there are several more in the mail; these will be reviewed as they
are received. The two resumes that have been received are from William
H. Law, Jr. and David M. Gatchel.
Mr. Bird advised that if anyone is interested in commu-
nicating with Mr. Gatchel he will be spending the next few days in
Deerfield Beach. Mr. Law's resume would indicate that he could be con-
tacted at his home in Pensacola, Florida. Mr. Bird stated that these
are two of six persons who have contacted him in one manner or another;
the others have suggested that they were desirous of submitting resumes.
He did not think, however, that it is appropriate to release their names
unless they do. Mr. Bird stated Council may want to consider in what
manner they want these resumes handled when additional ones are received
and discuss a meeting date in the future, perhaps next week.
Mr. Jackel stated that whatever procedure the Council wishes
to take, time is of the essence, and he would suggest proceeding with
caution but with all diligent speed.
Mr. Perry suggested that Council consider a blue. ribbon
panel made up of representatives from the residential and business
communities to do some screening of the applications and come back to
Council with their recommendations.
Mr. Campbell stated he felt Council should decide what exact
process they are going to adopt in making the selection; that is, having
a citizens advisory panel to screen the applications, or advertise
either nationally or statewide in the respective publications. If they
were to advertise, which would take longer, he felt the City would then
need an Interim City Manager to be appointed. Mr. Campbell stated he
felt there should be input from other than just members of Council; he
would like to include representatives from various aspects of the City.
He felt that it would be very helpful to the people making application
to be able to get to know the citizen group that they are going to be
dealing with.
Mayor Young advised he is in favor of citizen input; how-
ever, he would certainly be restrictive in the selection. He would
expect that anyone selected would be familiar with City operation and
problems that are existent at the present time. Mayor Young stated he
felt it was very important to consider having an Interim City Manager.
Mr. Bird suggested as a consideration by Council the pos-
sibility of including in the citizen group a former member of Council,
perhaps Mr. Blair, Mr. Newbold from Planning and Zoning and the chairman
or vice chairman of the Internal Audit Committee.
Mr. Bird commented that due to the Florida Sunshine Law
wherein resumes would be part of the public knowledge and would be
available to the media, Council will receive over the next few days
indications of interest in the City Manager's position from the majority
of people who either feel they can afford the risk or are currently
between positions and have no risk at all.
Following discussion it was Council consensus to pursue
immediately who might be available for the Interim City Manager posi-
tion. Mayor Young advised that either Robert Fisk, who has been here
before and perhaps will be available, or William Law, who has been City
Manager in Boca Raton and is an applicant for the job here, would be
very fine selections. Mr. Bird stated he would prefer to see someone
who will be a contender ultimately; at least then that individual will
be working diligently trying to prove his or her capabilities.
Mr. Campbell moved that as a procedure for the permanent
City Manager's position that Council appoint a five member blue ribbon
panel of citizens of Delray Beach to handle the job of initially re-
viewing the applications as they come in and do this within the next
week or 10 days; that this committee be given the task of screening
and/or reviewing the applications and coming back to Council with a list
of three to five names of qualified people with the provision that
guidance could be given to this committee as far as what to look for.
With regard to the selection of an Interim City Manager he would move
that a time be set, perhaps toward the end of next week, seconded by Mr.
Bird.
Mr. Jackel stated he agreed with Mr. Campbell as to the
Interim City Manager, with the proviso that two or three days will
probably determine who is interested. With regard to the panel, Mr.
Jackel advised that the City already has one; it is called City Council.
He does not feel a panel is necessary; he stated he feels fully capable
of making a judgment on all candidates.
Mr. Campbell responded that he believes it is the custom in
the State of Florida to appoint such committees when selecting people
who are going beyond an initial term of office that extends beyond those
officials who are selecting them. He does not believe Council is giving
up the responsibility that the Charter has given them and that is the
final selection; all they would be asking is for citizen input and
advice in making the selection.
For clarification, the City Attorney advised that a special
meeting would be set for approximately July llth and at that time two
items would be on the agenda: (1) appointment of members to the screen-
ing committee and (2) appointment of Interim City Manager.
Mr. Jackel requested that Mr. Campbell split his motion into
two separate parts. Mr. Campbell withdrew his motion and resubmitted
two substitute motions.
Mr. Campbell moved to appoint a special screening committee
for the selection for the permanent City Manager, seconded by Mr. Bird.
Upon roll call Council voted as follows: Mr. Bird - Yes; Mr. Campbell -
Yes; Mr. Jackel - No; Mr. Perry - Yes; Mayor Young - Yes. Said motion
passed with a 4 to 1 vote.
Mr. Campbell moved to appoint the Interim City Manager at a
special Council meeting on July 11, 1983, seconded by Mr. Bird. Said
motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Campbell commented that he presumes the 10 day period is
sufficient; however, if Council feels that they can get together sooner
and are ready, he would be willing to make it another date.
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Mayor Young declared the meeting adjourned at 2:35 P.M.
Acting City Clerk
ATTEST:
MAYOR
The undersigned is the Acting City Clerk of the City of
Delray Beach and that the information provided herein is the minutes of
the meeting of said City Council of July 1, 1983, which minutes were
formally approved and adopted by the City Council on ~~ ~ ~,/~3 ·
NOTE TO READER:
If the minutes that you have received are not completed as indicated
above, then this means that these are not the official minutes of City
Council. They will become the official minutes only after they have
been reviewed and approved which may involve some amendments, additions,
or deletions to the minutes as set forth above.
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