07-28-2015 Special CouncilJuly 28, 2015
A Special meeting of the City Council was held on the above date. The purpose of the meeting
was to hold a workshop with Sharon Klumpp of Waters and Company to discuss the recruitment
process for the new City Administrator. Mayor Simonson called the meeting to order at
6:00pm. The following were present: Council members Bob Hegland, Dan Lee, Chris Ness and
Mayor Randall Simonson. Absent: Council member Jim Schneider. Staff present: City
Administrator Kristina Handt and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
The Council members discussed the desired qualifications and expectations for the City
Administrator. The current job description was reviewed and it was recommended that it be
updated by the addition of code enforcement duties, economic development tasks and
negotiations with the Public Works union.
The job announcement was reviewed and it was agreed that a bachelor's degree in public
administration and at least three years of experience in local government administration is a
requirement. Council members noted that supervisory and planning experience is highly desired.
Mayor Simonson recommended that the statement "help Scandia retain its rural residential feel"
could be replaced to reflect future growth. Ms. Klumpp offered to select wording to state the
desire to grow responsibly, protect the natural resources and respect Scandia's heritage.
A discussion of the priorities the Council sees as important in short and long-range planning
identified roads and sewer infrastructure.
Ms. Klumpp recommended the salary range included in the announcement reflect a range
consistent with current salaries of comparable cities. Ms. Klumpp will research nearby cities
including Wisconsin and the Council will be e-mailed a recommendation to include in the
announcement, which is anticipated to be placed in various outlets the week of August 3rd
The timeline for the hiring process was reviewed and the schedule anticipates that an offer could
be made by early November with an effective start date by early December. Administrator
Handt noted the budget hearing will be held on December 2nd and she offered to stay on part-
time through early December. The Council was in consensus to approve this extension of her
resignation by resolution at a future Council meeting.
Ms. Klumpp suggested the review process could be tightened up to accelerate the process as it
moves along. Administrator Handt recommended the Council perform two rounds of interviews
with the final candidates.
Hegland, seconded by Lee, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk