100289 CC WS Min
.
.
.
CITY OF SHORE WOOD
STUDY SESSION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1989
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
7: 41 P. M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Haugen convened the Study Session at 7:41 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Haugen, Councilmembers Brancel, Gagne, Stover
and Watten.
Staff: Administrator Whittaker
JOB DESCRIPTION, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Administrator Whittaker recommended the City Council consider es-
tablishing the position of Administrative Assistant/Deputy Clerk
after the positions of City Clerk and Administrator are combined.
He said the position Sandra Kennelly occupied should be commensurate
with her current pay. It should include duties she had or could
perform well. It should be similar to positions other cities had.
Whittaker recommended that a Recording Secretary be hired or those
duties should be assigned to Susan Niccum. The time now used by
Ms. Kennelly as recording secretary could be used to: administer
grants and contracts; take responsibility for building, sorting,
retrieving, and indexing all historical files and complying with
S~ate RecorQ Retention requirements, completing the transfer and
,microfilming of these archives, and developing the computerized
index of the filing system; keeping the City Code up-to-date and
codifying it annually; assisting the Public Works Department in
establishing and indexing its files; and, keeping the official
records of the City.
He went through the proposed job description with the Council line
by line. (Copy attached with Council additions and corrections.)
The Council expressed concern that Ms. Niccum was too busy to be-
come the recording secretary and asked that the person being hired
to take Planning Commission minutes be asked to take Council minutes
as well until the revised positions could be evaluated in January.
They discussed streamlining Council packets, assessment searches,
and the Newsletter. They said purchasing office supplies should
be assigned to the Receptionist and that "pUblic information" and
complaints should be screened by that person instead of the Deputy
Clerk.
The Council agreed with comments by Stover and Haugen that the
special assessment process could be improved with clearer require-
ments of those seeking searches and less accomodation by the City.
The City should not do everyone's homework at the expense of more
important tasks.
Brancel said the City had not identified a need for an Administrative
.
MINUTES - MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1989 - STUDY SESSION
PAGE 2
DEPUTY CITY CLERK - Continued
Assistant and recommended the position have the title of Deputy
Clerk with an addendum indicating the salary is at this level
because of additional duties assigned to Ms. Kennelly - which may
not be so assigned if she leaves. The position is not supervisory.
Gagne asked what the object of this reorganization is. He expressed
his concern that this would not result in better performance by Ms.
Kennelly or better relationships between her and those she supervised.
He said the Council agreed the job was not being done and asked
how long the City had to put up with it. Haugen responded that the
City Attorney advised the Council to clarify Ms. Kennelly's respon-
sibilities and goals and reevaluate her performance based on that
after three months. Attorney Froberg, she said, believed this would
be a more defensible position if the Council decided to terminate
Ms. Kennelly.
Watten said the job description and the Council had to make it clear
that the Administrator supervises all employees including the Deputy
Clerk. The City cannot have independent officers or department heads.
.
The Council reviewed a draft Resolution Combining Certain Positions
and Offices Within the City of Shorewood, which would combine the
offices of City Administrator with City Clerk and Finance Director
with City Treasurer.
Watter moved, seconded by Brancel" to put this Resolution on the
Consent Agenda for the October 9, 1989, City Council meeting. Motion
carried 5-0.
The Council instructed the Administrator to present this decision
to Ms. Kennelly and prepare the new Job DescrjJption for Council
action.
Stover asked what title Ms. Niccum would now have. Whittaker said
State Statute permits only one Deputy Clerk but allows any number
of Assistant Clerks. Stover said Ms. Niccum's title should not
indicate any demotion. Whittaker suggested the title be Assistant
Clerk and Administrative Assistant for Parks. The Council agreed.
Gagne said the Deputy Clerk and Assistant Clerk should take turns
going to conferences so that each remains in touch with a Clerk's
duties. Haugen agreed and said she could not see a value in attending
the International Clerk's conference. She also said employees should
write a report on each conference or seminar they attend.
.
At Watten and Brancel's suggestion, the Council instructed Whittaker
to meet at least weekly with Ms. Kennelly to assess progress and
report back to the Council in writing so that there will be a record
to evaluate in January.
.
.
.
Position: CITY CLERK
Objective and Scope
To perform administrative duties related to maintenance of official
records, processing of contracts, elections, and miscellaneous duties
as cited under M.S. 412.151 except those cited under the Administrator's
and Finance Director's job descriptions.
Relationship
Reports to:
Supervises:
City Administrator
All employees performing duties associated with the
front counter, central file, records retention, elec-
tions, and special assessments.
Specific Responsibilities
1. Administers the official record keeping of the City, including
the City Council minutes, ordinances, City Ordinance Code,
Resolutions, and Advisory Commission Minutes.
A. Attends City Council meetings and writes minutes in a
timely fashion, coordinates agenda, prepares and distrib-
utes packets and distributes agenda and ~iDutes to all
Commissions and others as requested.
B. Responsible for the safe keeping of the oaths and bonds
of each municipal officer.
C. Overall responsibility for maintenance of central file and
records retention system.
. D. Complies with State Statutes and local Ordinances regarding
legal notices placed in newspapers for public notification.
2. Has primary responsibility for administration of elections, in-
cluding training, hiring judges, organizing polling sites, and
all maintenance of files.
-38-
.;
'., ..~...
3. Responsible for the activities associated with the front desk,
~ including the issuances of all licenses and permits, general
information, and the handling of complaints.
A. Performs Notary Jlublic duties.
B. Responsible for all Special Assess~~rit Information.
C. Responsible for processing Homestead cards and applications.
D. Schedules the use of the City Hall Council Chambers.
,r"""
,
I
4. Responsible fur the preparation and filing of state and federal
reports e.g. annual Reserve Capacity Report for the Metropolitan
Waste Control Commission, assessment searches, homestead credit
reports, etc.
5. Prepare and certify all assessments of new levies, equalization,
division splits, and delinquent certification to the County for
tax collection.
o. ppeparation ana cQmpl~tion gf utility 9il~.
7. Maintains inventory and purchases office supplies for City
Departments.
. 8. Responsible for the preparation of the City I S quarterly news- (',-..'
let.ter.
9.
~.
Performs other duties as required, such as special projects.
Msin+,qirl~ I'll] ji!l"'l"'nllni':ing, billing FInn r~conciliat..i..ou IeCO.lJ::;
--=---------
for the City's ut~~ity system, including:
A. Maintaining the mas er file of utility records including
additions, deletio s, reconciliations.
B. Coordinates meter reading requirements and codes/batches
all records for .D.P. system.
C. all questions regarding utility bills
or billing.
F.
G.
accounting r
Directs the utility department to install or replace meters.
Prepares 1. t of delinquent utility accounts for certifi-
cation to he county auditor for inclusion in real estate
ents.
records of new installations.
receipts all utility bills.
billing parments/receivables with the
D. Prepares, mai
E. Coordinates
.
H.
~
.... ....
-39-