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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 19,1995 I I I 37:0166 o I/O. ,I rl(,/Q9,- ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE C ~ CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND CITY CLERK ROLL CALL 1. MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA and the ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENT) JUNE 19, 1995 The City Council and the A,cadia Redevelopment Agency met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 19, 1995, in the City Council Chambers Conference Room. PRESENT: ABSENT: Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Young and Lojeski None TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL 0//0 -3 ~- Vincent Foley, 320 Cambridge Drive, applicant for appointment to the tV S /" vacancy on the City Council. Mr. Foley thanked the Council for their consideration of his application and stated in part, that he is still 'interested in the vacant Council seat. He believes the special quality that he could bring to the Council would be "consensus building"... he could be Council's consensus candidate if they can not reach agreement on any of the other applicants for appointment. 2. MATTERS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS None INTERVIEWS OF FINALISTS FOR COUNCIL VACANCY 3'OIIL'.4'-. 1'1,;1' APPLICANT The Mayor read a letter from Mr. James Helms requesting that the HELMS City Manager withdraw his name from consideration for the vacancy (Withdraws on the City Council name) 0",) - ;,., '> John Fee, 2152 Canyon Road. Mr. Fee stated in part that he has long had an interest in city government, in 'particular, the City of Arcadia. He believes he is very qualified for the Council, and he has the time and the health to serve the City in this capacity. Mr. Fee is a long term resident of the City of Arcadia and it is his interest to see that the City grow and continue along its excellent way. He knows and under- stands the problems that occur in the City and its idiosyncrasies and he would like to analyze those things and determine how to handle them. His experience is such that he has been trained as a professional in engineering. He believes a lot of City governing has to do with engi- neering. His particular work has been in municipal engineering, in particular, water and waste water types of projects. He believes he can bring a lot to the Crry in those areas. His experiences could be -1- 6/19/95 OltO" ,', " 37:0l67 AMENDED PAGE valuable. He also has a graduate business degree, with a major in accounting, as such, he understands the financial aspect of the operation of the City. As far as budget planning and budget opera- I tion and financial moves of the City, he could help analyze those situations reasonably well. Mr. Fee mentioned also that he has had a lot of experience in, for example, preparing water rate studies for cities... not too many people have that type of training. He is a long time citizen of the City and he would like to make sure that the City 'goes ahead and progresses. He does not come to this position with any preconceived idea that he is going to change some- thing. He is a conservative by nature, but, that does not mean that he is against change. Mr. Fee then responded to various questions from Council, after which he thanked the Council for their consideration of his application and said he would devote the necessary time to the position and do a good job if appointed. Mayor Lojeski called a brief RECESS following Mr. Fee's interview. At 7:10 p.m. the Council RECONVENED and applicant Ruth Gilb was seated for an interview. Ruth Gilb, 940 Singing Wood Dr. In her opening statement Mrs. Gilb stated, in part, that for her whole life of thirty-six (36) years in Arcadia she has devoted herself to community serviee and feels that such service was a wonderful stepping stone to service on the City Council. The kinds of community service she has been, and is involved in, has allowed her to know all phases of the City and many different types of people. Mrs. Gilb feels she is now ready to contribute to the City in another manner. I In response to Mayor Lojeski's questions, Mrs. Gilb related that she had formed her own business and for seventeen (17) years owned and managed a successful ladies apparel shop in the City. Further, she has been in the business world for a total of thirty-one (31) years and married for forty-eight (48) years, fifteen (15) of which she dedicated to giving her attention to her children to give them a good start in life. This period of time was before opening her business which was closed approximately six years ago. Other business experi- ence included a position at the University of Idaho and some seven or eight years in the credit department at Sears. Mrs. Gilb then responded to various questions directed to her by the City Council. In her closing comments, Mrs. Gilb said that she hoped Council will give her serious consideration for appointment to the Council; she will do a good job; she is very interested in the community; she has been involved in several City organizations, in particular, she is currently very much involved with the Arcadia Welfare and Thrift Shop in working with needy families in the City. Mrs. Gilb gave a brief history of the work of the Thrift Shop, which was started in 1932 by two Holly Avenue school teachers after they recognized the need in the City. I -2- 6/19/95 I~ I I 37:0168 Mayor Lojeski called a brief RECESS after chich the City Council RECONVENED AT 7:45 p.m. 4. DISCUSSION AND SELECTION OF APPOINTMENT TO FILL COUNCIL VACANCY In the discussion following the recess, Council agreed that they are very fortunate to have had ten such qualified applicants for the vacant Council position. Mayor Pro tem Kuhn reiterated her position that she feels that Ruth Gilb, who was next in line in the April 1994 City election, has been qualified by the voters for the appointment to the Council. She feels that although the two candidates interviewed are both fine and good candidates and both are qualified and dedicated, she still main- tains that the voter participation process is an important issue, and, that the willingness to go through the campaign process in itself, says a lot. And, she will stay with that line of reasoning and that line of thinking, therefore, this makes her choice for the appointment to the Council a little easier. Councilmember Chang felt that Mr. Fee's background is very striking, in particular, the fact that Mr. Fee managed a company of nine people which grew to 3300 employees and $400 million in projects, which im- pressed him, in particular. Councilmember Chang feels that Mr. Fee would be a very good candidate for the appointment. Mayor Lojeski felt that Mrs; Gilb brought a wide array of philan- thropic service to the community to the table having been involved in the community a tremendous amount of years.. and, she has certainly seen the political process happening around her. However, Mr. Fee, with his resume, which, contained seven pages-of qualifications, and his involvement in many organizations, entities and public service... and he has lived in the community also for many years. The Mayor was impressed with M~_ Fee~ indepth answers after assessing and evaluating Council's questions, in particular, the Mayor felt that Mr. Fee's assessment of the appointee in the financial role, and of being efficient in such matters which are very key issues. The Mayor felt that with Mr. Fee's wide array of experience and impressive qualifications, he believes it would be unconscionable for the Council to not ask Mr. Fee to serve out the ten month term of Bob Margett. And... he would support a motion to appoint John Fee. Councilmember Young felt that Council should also consider the number, of voters who were in favor of Ruth Gilb and the fact that a large number of people in the community expressed their wishes. Furthe4 Council should view volunteer work as just as good as business work. The County Children's Commission that Ruth Gilb served on was a very involved type of service. Councilmember Young favors the appointment of Mrs. Gilb to the Council because of how she feels about it and how the citizens who voted for Ruth Gilb feel about it. Mayor Lojeski read the list of volunteer service performed by Mr. Fee which is also impressive. -3- 6/19/95 o lit ' ,I' ,.J TIE VOTE 0"';) - ., ... - 37:0168a' Councilmember Chang felt that both Mrs. Gilb and Mr. Fee had im- pressive community service efforts, however, he felt that Mr. Fee's business success involved many correct or right decisions. Further, I this is a time of fiscal difficulties for the State and for the City, and the City needs people on the Council who know how to make the right decisions in City matters. Councilmember Chang believes Mr. Fee would be the best appointee in these fiscal matters and the City needs that kind of a person. At the conclusion of the discussion of the attributes each Council- member was looking for in the applicants, Councilmember Young placed the name of Ruth Gilb in nomination for appointment to the City Council. Mayor Lojeski then placed in nomination the name of John Fee.. and roll call vote was taken. Votes Cast for Ruth Gilb Mayor Pro tem Kuhn Councilmember Young Votes Cast for John Fee Councilmember Chang Mayor Lojeski Seeing a tie vote, Mayor Lojeski noted that the June 20th City Council agenda would again allow an opportunity for discussion and nominations for the appointment to the City Council. City,Attorney Miller advised that Council was not limited by any specific rules in the appointment process and could, if they so desired, change votes or continue to interview other candidates, or whatever process they would choose. I Councilmember Chang said that he was also impressed by applicant Peter Ulrich. By consensus Council determined to interview Mr. Ulrich at the regular City Council meeting tomorrow evening, June 20th. Councilmember Young advised Council that she was scheduled to leave on a two week vacation on June 21st. Mayor Lojeski felt at that point that other candidates should be interviewed on Tuesday, June 20th, to try and settle the matter before councilmember Young leaves on vacation, since the thirty (30) day appointment window would close after July 7. A brief discussion developed of changing the order of the June 20th agenda to move the Closed Session to the beginning of the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and interview other applicants at the end of the meeting. By consensus Council will change the order of the meeting with the appropriate motion tomorrow evening. Also, by consensus, Council determined to interview Pat Gibson and Peter Ulrich at the June 20th meeting and to interview Vincent Foley tonight as he was present in the audience. Mayor Lojeski announced that Council would then return to Item No. 3 - Interview of Finalists for Council Vacancy on tonight's agenda to conduct the interview with Vincent Foley. Vincent Foley, 320 Cambridge Drive. In an opening statement, Mr. Foley state~ in part that he has spent his entire adult life in public I -4- 6/19/95 I I I O/t.J.", 37:0168b service, both volunteerism and in the service of the government. He has worked for the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which is a multi-billion dollar corporation for thirty-six years. He will retire from this position at the end of this July and wili have ample time to devote to the Council position if appointed. Virtually all of his years with the Department of Water and Power have been spent in the finance and accoun~ing systems. He was involved in the budgeting process for fourteen (14) years; Manager of accounts payable and fifty-four (54) employees. He then was moved into the position of project manager for a special new payroll system that was being implemented for all 10,000 Water and Power employees and 9,000 retirees of same. This was the first time in Water and Power history that a "user" was put in charge of a data processing system. The project was successfully completed on time and within budget. He was also an elected employee repre- sentative of the retirement plan since 1974. He is now completing his seventh three-year term. Since 1982 he has been president of that board. He prides himself in building consensus among groups that he has alliliated with, and has been involved in volunteer efforts throughout his entire adult life. Mr. Foley explained how he was able, as chairman of a committee, to determine alternate sources of income for the City of Commerce and to advise and provide many recommendations to that City in ways to save funds and uncover new sources of funds. Commerce ended up with a new two-story fire station and they did not have to increase fees to any resident in the City. Council then directed their series of prepared questions to Mr. Foley, for his response. At the conclusion of the question and answer period, in reference to the June 20th agenda, the City Attorney advised that the Mayor should adjourn tonight's meeting to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 20th, for the purpose of having the Closed Session for labor relations as designated on the ex~stil!g agenda for that date and DIRECT the City Clerk to post the Notice of Adjournment as soon as possible relecting that advice and also "FAX" or send in the most expeditious way, the appropriate notice of that adjournment to representatives of the media and other media that are on the agenda list. Councilmember Young MOVED for APPROVAL of the City Attorney's recommendation, seconded by Councilmember Chang and CARRIED on roll call vote as follows: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Young and Lojeski None None City Manager Kelly advised that Peter Ulrich confirmed that he will be present at the June 20th meeting for an interview for the Council vacancy. The City Manager will continue to try and reach Patrick Gibson this evening and in the morning regarding the'same. -5- 6/19/95 37:0168c ADJOURNMENT At 8:40 p.m. the meeting ADJOURNED to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 20, 1995, in the City Council Chambers, Conference Room, for a CLOSED SESSION and the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. I ATTEST: ayor of the City of Arcadia ~u..uJ ~~~ J e/D. Alford, ty Clerk I -6- 6/19/95 I