10-22-1987 CC MIN - SPECIAL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
OCTOBER 22. 1987
4It Members present: Mayor Estelle Gunkel. Councilmembers Tralle. Dobel. Schuldt
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Members ab sent: Counc ilmember Holmgren
Staff present: City Administrator. Patrick Klaers. Finance Director. Lori
Johnson
Also present: Ken Nielson of BDS. Inc.. Economic Development Consultant
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof. the meeting of the Elk River City
Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Gunkel.
Mayor Gunkel stated that the purpose of the meeting was to interview the two
finalists for the Community Development Coordinator position. These two
individuals that are to be interviewed before the City Council are Jeffrey
Gongoll and Steven Kaukola. Mr. Gongoll is to be interviewed at
approximately 6:30 p.m. followed by Mr. Kaukola at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The Council then reviewed the format for the interviews and discussed the
potential interview questions.
Mr. Gongoll was interviewed at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. Kaukola was interviewed at 7:30 p.m.
Following the interviews of the two candidates. the City Council discussed the
issue of only having two applicants to consider and interview for this
position. It was noted that two other finalists for this position had removed
their names from the list of applicants to be considered for this position.
At this time. it was the consensus of the Council that both applicants appear
to be qualified for the position. but concern was still expressed over not
being able to hire an employee from a larger field of interviewees. The
Council discussed the issue of readvertising for this position to review the
quality of applicants. Concerns over readvertising for the position included
the time frame for the hiring of an individual and whether a different title
needed to be used in the readvertisement. It was aknowledged by the Council
that the major duties of this position relate to Economic Development. and
that it may be relevant to readvertise this position as an Economic
Development Coordinator. Because of the time factor and the concern that both
finalists may not be available at a later date. the Council decided to proceed
with considering to hire one of the two applicants that were interviewed.
The Council further discussed the issue of Councilmember Holmgren being absent
from the interviews because he was ill. The concern of the Council included
the lack of a unanimous vote on one candidate and the role of Councilmember
Holmgren in the decision of who to hire without being present for any of the
interviews. Discussion included having each candidate meet with Councilmember
Holmgren on a one to one basis. or inviting both candidates back for a
follow-up interview.
The Council directed the Economic Development Consultant to do a complete and
thorough background check on both of the applicants that were interviewed.
Concern was expressed about reference checks from current employers and the
Consultant was directed to not contact current employers of the two applicants
for references.
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City Council Minutes
October 22. 1987
Page 2
It was the consensus of the Council that the applicants would be discussed at
the special City Council meeting on November 5. 1987. At this meeting a
decision is anticipated on hiring a candidate or interviewing both condidates
again or aborting the hiring process because of the Council not having a
larger enough field to select a candidate from. If the Council decided to
abort the hiring process on November 5. then the Council would have to decide
on readvertisement for the position and reevaluating the title of the
position. the duties of the position. and the pay of the position.
Before the meeting was adjourned. the Mayor showed the Council a framed print
of an Elk and a~ked the Council if they concurred that it was appropriate to
purchase the print. Since no "symbol" of Elk River exists in City Hall and
the price of approximately $85.00 was reasonable. the consensus of the City
Council was to purchase the framed print of an Elk.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
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Patrick Klaers
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