Kiffi Summa, LWV Observer
The sole purpose of this early morning Special Council Meeting was to interview the four finalists for the position of Interim City Administrator. With the recent announcement by Joel Walinski, current City Administrator, of his leaving to take a like position In Leavenworth, Washington, the process of hiring an interim administrator has been on a fast track. The Council convened at 7:40 this morning to go over last minute details of the interview process with Human Resources Director, Elizabeth Wheeler; the interviews then began at 8:00 AM. Each interview was scheduled for 45 minutes, and each councilor had a question to ask. The Councilors were careful to ask their questions in the same wording and manner to each of the interviewees, and also with regard to any ' follow-ups' they may have asked.
The four interviewees, in the order they were interviewed were: Ronald Moorse, Tim Madigan, Craig Dawson, and Gregory Andrews.
All made a good impression, and had strong expertise with varying degrees of strength within the various areas of expertise the Council seemed to be most interested in pursuing. All have seemed to center their careers in Central Minnesota.
Councilors were asked to make notes/do some evaluating on each candidate's interview sheet; there was some discussion with Ms. Wheeler as to whether they could take those sheets and the backup materials, resumes, etc., home with them for consideration this afternoon, as the Councilors will be returning this evening , at another Special Meeting at 7 PM, to make their decision/selection on filling the interim city administrator position. It was decided that they could take copies of their notes, as well as the backup materials, with the caveat of "for their eyes only".
It is hoped that the person selected will be able to start virtually immediately, so as to have some overlap with departing Administrator Walinski.
After the interviews, and a very brief discussion of the next process this evening, the meeting adjourned at 11:53.
