5.a3 Draft minutes 7-17-19 special meetingJuly 17, 2019
A Special Meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. The purpose of the
meeting was to consider applicants for the City Administrator position.
Present: Mayor Christine Maefsky, Council members Jerry Cusick, Steve Kronmiller, Chris
Ness, Patti Ray, and Treasurer Colleen Firkus.
Mayor Maefsky called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.
The second-choice candidate, Mark Vahlsing, declined the Council’s employment offer and
withdrew as a candidate for the position.
Mayor Maefsky laid out the choices, go to the third choice or go back and look at the other
applicants in the pool of 40. The third choice was the #1 choice for one councilmember and the
#2 choice for another councilmember; has the administrative experience, a shorter commute
time, does not have the conflict of being currently employed, and was 15 years in last city
administrator position. Concerns were that he was retired and might not stay long, and seemed
very reserved and not involved in the community. Insurance and salary were issues for first two
candidates. The budget has family coverage for insurance. Mora salary is $93,527 with a range
of $80-$106,000. Council felt the 3rd choice candidate was qualified and the consultant should
make an offer of $98,000 and keep the 3-months’ probation in the contract.
Mayor Christine Maefsky and Councilmember Chris Ness will serve as the negotiating team.
The final terms of employment will be officially acted upon at a future Council meeting.
Ness, seconded by Ray, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer