MINUTES Special July 29 2008

							                              MINUTES
                      FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING
                        OF THE CITY COUNCIL
                     FOR THE CITY OF THORNE BAY
                               ALASKA,
                         COUNCIL CHAMBERS
                              CITY HALL
                             July 29, 2008
                                  6:30



1.    CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Mayor Kelly called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m.

2.    PLEDGE TO FLAG:
The council and audience stood for the pledge to the flag.

3.     ROLL CALL:
Kelly, Hartwell, Marsh and Minnillo were present. Gould attended by phone.
Roland and Hudson were excused.

4.    APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Hartwell moved to approve the agenda. Minnillo seconded the motion. There
was no further discussion.

MOTION:      Move to approve the agenda
F/S:         Hartwell/Minnillo
YEAS:        Marsh, Kelly, Minnillo, Gould and Hartwell
NAYS:        None
STATUS:      Motion Passed.

5.    PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments.

6.    COUNCIL COMMENTS:
There were no council comments.

7.    NEW BUSINESS:
      A.      Discuss compensation and moving expenses for selected city
              administrator candidate, John Erickson, discussion and action
              item:
Gould moved to offer Jon Erickson $70,000.00 and $2,000.00 for moving
expenses. Kelly seconded the motion. Gould stated he had been negotiating a
contract with Jon Erickson. Gould stated Mr. Erickson was requesting a salary of
$72,000.00 and moving expenses to be paid by the City. Mayor Gould stated the
estimated moving expenses were approximately $2,000.00. Gould stated he
would like to offer Mr. Erickson $72,000.00 and an increase of $2,000.00 after
six months. Gould stated he thought Mr. Erickson was worth the money. Gould
stated Mr. Erickson would be on probation for six months so if the council did
not feel that he was doing an adequate job for the city they could terminate
employment. Gould stated that Mr. Erickson had good people skills. Hartwell
inquired what the city paid the last city administrator. Gould stated the city paid
$60,000.00 for the first six months and $66,000.00 after probation. Kelly
inquired what the position was advertised at. Gould stated the position was
advertised at $50k to $70k. Kelly thanked the Mayor and Committee members
for all their work in selecting a city administrator. Kelly inquired why Justin
Sornsin did not apply for the position. Sornsin replied that in the last two and a
half years he has known three administrators to come in and leave quickly.
Sornsin stated he has a commitment to Thorne Bay and does not want to leave
for any reason. Sornsin stated he was doing good things as the utility manager.
Sornsin stated the public utilities were his priority. Gould stated Mr. Erickson is
familiar with Thorne Bay and the people at the Southeast Island School District.
Marsh inquired where Mr. Erickson was from. Gould stated he was from Juneau.
Marsh stated she had asked people about what they thought on the city paying for
moving expenses and only two people agreed that the city should pay and the rest
inquired if the administrator would even stay here. Gould stated the council
could put conditions of the moving expenses. Kelly stated he was okay with
paying for the moving expenses but would like to see the administrator salary at
$70,000.00. Gould stated he would tell Mr. Erickson that a raise would have to
be earned and would be after one year of employment. Kelly stated he would vote
for Mr. Erickson’s salary at $72,000.00 if Mayor Gould felt it necessary.
Hartwell stated he did not feel the council should give Mr. Erickson more than
the job was advertised at. Gould stated Mr. Erickson had the credentials and
experience for the job. Gould stated Thorne Bay was in a situation where it needs
a point guy to make more contacts. Gould stated Mr. Sornsin was doing an
excellent job but he had his hands full with being the Utility Manager and Acting
City Administrator. Minnillo inquired is Mr. Erickson had accepted the job.
Gould stated Mr. Erickson accepted the job with the conditions. Minnillo stated
Thorne Bay had little money and Mr. Erickson’s salary should begin at
$60,000.00 to leave room for raises once earned. Minnillo stated he would be in
favor of reimbursing the moving expenses. Kelly stated the Mayor should offer
Mr. Erickson the $70,000.00 and if it was going to be a deal breaker then offer
the $72,000.00. Sornsin stated the code has a mandatory step increase for
wages. Gould stated Chuck McGee the previous administrator was not in the job
for the money and Mr. Erickson has two children in college. Marsh stated she
wanted to offer Mr. Erickson $66,000.00 and if he worked out then give him a
raise. Gould stated Mr. Erickson asked for $72,000.00 and the council needed to
decide what they were willing to pay. Gould stated he heard a figure of
$66,000.00 and he was in favor of offering $70,000.00. Kelly stated if the city
had a competent administrator he would see a financial need and turn things
around. There was no further discussion.
MOTION:      Move to offer Jon Erickson $70,000.00 and $2,000.00 for
             moving expenses
F/S:         Gould/Kelly
YEAS:        Kelly, Gould and Hartwell
NAYS:        Marsh and Minnillo
STATUS:      Motion Passed.

8.    CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT:
There were no public comments.

9.     CONTINUATION OF COUNCIL COMMENT:
Hartwell inquired if Justin Sornsin was being compensated for his additional
duties. Gould replied that he was. Minnillo stated Mr. Erickson marked yes on
his application for the question “are you prevented from lawfully becoming
employed in this country because of Visa or Immigration Status”. Gould stated it
was probably a mistake but he would ask Mr. Erickson. Sornsin requested the
Mayor let him know as soon as negotiations were complete with Mr. Erickson so
the he could get things prepared for the new administrator. Gould stated he
would. Gould thanked the council and city staff for the flowers the sent to him.
Gould stated it was refreshing to hear discussion between the council and not
arguments. Gould stated he felt Mr. Erickson was worth the gamble. There were
no further comments.

10.    ADJOURNMENT:
Kelly adjourned the meeting at 7:05p.m.



                                            _________________________
                                             James Gould, Mayor


ATTEST:

_________________________
Teri Hammons, City Clerk