04-11-22 CC WS MinutesCITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 6:30 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
Mayor Labadie called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Present. Mayor Labadie; Councilmembers Johnson (arrived at 6:41 p.m.), Labadie, Siakel,
Gorham, and Callies; City Attorney Shepherd; City Administrator Lerud; Planning
Director Darling; and Public Works Director Brown.
Absent: None
B. Review Agenda
Siakel moved, Gorham seconded, approving the agenda as presented. Motion passed 4/0.
2. PROCESS TO FILL CITY ADMINISTRATOR VACANCY
City Administrator Lerud stated that the Council should discuss how they would like to proceed
with an interim appointment of a City Administrator and also how they would like to proceed with
filling the position with a regular appointment. He suggested that the Council spend the majority
of the time discussing the interim appointment since that is more time sensitive and stated that
there is time at the work session on April 25, 2022 if the Council wanted to bring in candidates for
interviews. He noted that he had presented information at the dais from the League of Minnesota
Cities that included a list of candidates who have offered themselves as interim City
Administrators.
There was consensus by the Council regarding the importance of an interim City
Administrator that would be able to step right in following City Administrator Lerud's
departure.
City Administrator Lerud noted that staff has discussed this and there is nobody on staff who
would have the time to assume those interim responsibilities.
Councilmember Callies stated that even if the City appoints an interim City Administrator she does
not want to put filling the regular appointment on hold because the last time that happened the
interim City Administrator was at the City for about four years, which she feels is too long.
Councilmember Siakel stated that interim City Administrator did a really good job and noted that
there was a lot going on in the City at the time. She stated that because of his experience, he
was able to work with the public and calm the situation and reiterated that even though it was a
long `interim' appointment, he did a great job and she felt it was a beneficial thing for the City.
She stated that she wants to make sure that the City has enough time to make sure they hire the
right person.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD WORK SESSION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 11, 2022
Page 2 of 2
The Council discussed some of the names on the list from the League of Minnesota Cities. They
discussed the need to eliminate candidates that live far away, individuals who do have city
administrator experience within the metropolitan area, as well the best process for moving this
forward.
Councilmember Siakel suggested that Mayor Labadie screen some of the potential candidates
that have been mentioned with the idea that interviews could be held during the work session on
April 25, 2022. She stated that if there more than a few viable candidates she suggested that a
portion of the Council could also do a pre -interview process through Zoom so they can narrow
the field down before the full Council interviews.
Mayor Labadie suggested that by the work session on April 25, 2022 that there be no more than
three candidates that interview for the interim city administrator position. She stated that for the
regular position her question is whether the Council wants to tackle it themselves or bring in an
outside firm to assist in the vetting and hiring process.
City Administrator Lerud noted that many cities the size of Shorewood and larger go with an
outside firm in this situation. Mayor Labadie asked for an estimate of what an outside firm would
cost to provide this service. City Administrator Lerud stated that he expects it would be about
$20,000 to $25,000. Councilmember Callies noted that seems high to her because she did not
think it would be a national search.
Councilmember Siakel suggested that that the City put out a Request for Proposal because there
are several firms around that do this type of work. City Administrator Lerud stated that would be
the next step and noted that staff could have that back for Council consideration by the April 25,
2022 Council meeting. He stated that then the Council could see what they get back and decide
if they want to proceed with a consultant or handle it internally based on what they get back
through the RFP process.
Councilmember Callies asked if there would be a way to get the RFP distributed sooner than that.
City Administrator Lerud stated that he is not planning to reinvent the wheel so if the Council gave
him some direction, he and the city attorney could get the RFP sent out and try to have them back
for discussion at the May 9, 2022 meeting which would cut a few weeks out of the process
timeline.
There was consensus of the Council get the RFP sent out so the ball starts rolling on the
process to fill the City Administrator position.
3. ADJOURN
Johnson moved, Gorham seconded, Adjourning the City Council Work Session Meeting
of April 11, 2022, at 6:58 P.M. Motion passed 5/0.
ATTEST:
Je nifer abadie, Mayor
Sandie Thone, City Clerk