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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-09 Work Session Minutes (3) Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Friday, March 9, 2012 Page 1 of 4 Pages Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org MINUTES OF WORK SESSION DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Anthony DeBone and Tammy Baney; and, by conference phone, Commissioner Alan Unger. Also present were Erik Kropp, Interim County Administrator; Debbie Legg, Personnel; and Mark Pilliod, County Counsel. Also in attendance was Scott Hammers of the Bulletin. Chair DeBone opened the meeting at 2:30 p.m. 1. (Tentative) Executive Session, called under ORS 192.660(2)(a), to consider the Employment of a Public Officer or Employee. No executive session was necessary. 2. Update on County Administrator Recruitment Efforts. Commissioner Baney said that they need to hire the right person, not just any person. She has received enough information herself to feel they have not yet found the right person for the position. Commissioner Unger agreed. Commissioner Baney stated that she received an e-mail from an applicant who did not continue with the interview process. That person spoke about the risks associated with taking on a position in this area. If it does not work out, there are not many other things they can do without completely relocating. Another concern is if the applicant is currently employed, by applying with the County, there is the risk of losing the current job. There i s also the concern of a major change in the midst of a poor economy and the dismal real estate situation in Oregon. Chair DeBone said that sometimes there would be no place for them to go, or any other local opportunities. He agreed that the right person for the position has not yet been found. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Friday, March 9, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Pages Mark Pilliod indicated that staff needs direction on what the next steps should be. The consensus seems to be that the process just concluded has not resulted in a candidate that the Board is comfortable hiring. So at this point, it is more important to discuss what to do next. Mr. Kropp suggested that the Board keep any comments to the press or public simple. There was a lot more to this decision than just the interview or the background check. When they are looking at hiring someone, they have to consider the whole process: the application, performance during the interview process, and the background check. The Board is not extending an offer because of the whole package, and it is hard to narrow it down to one or two things. Mr. Pilliod stated that it was not a matter of one phone call or one bit of information being a red flag; it was a continuum of how the person presented himself. This is true; and also gives a more complete idea of the process, to which the Board was faithful. Commissioner Baney said that concerns were conveyed to her about this issue. There were almost 100 people involved in the process and two individuals rose to the top. However, neither will be offered a contract. However, the p rocess was very thorough and the Board came to the same conclusion together. Mr. Pilliod noted that aside from a press release, there is no need to be specific as to information that was conveyed to the Board. A good portion of the information could be obtained through any public search. What it comes down to is how the Board thinks the person will fit. This term is used frequently, but in the end, it is accurate. There were no telltale signs of a big issue or anything specific. Commissioner Baney said that as far as where to go from here, a plan is need. This is not the first time a jurisdiction has had difficulty finding the right person. The Airport, the City of Bend and others have. In the meantime, it takes a lot to keep the County moving forward. The plan needs to determine what is not being done now, and whether help should be brought in for Mr. Kropp. Commissioner Unger stated that he is more in favor of delegating work and not having to train someone to help short- term. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Friday, March 9, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Pages Mr. Kropp indicated that he can put together a plan on how to move forward with him as interim. Some things have waited for a while to be addressed while this process took place, and cannot be overlooked much longer. He will analyze the organizational chart and also ask Department Heads what they need. One example is the 9-1-1 Executive Board meeting each month, which takes place at the same time as the EBAC meeting. Both need representation. They may have to reschedule the EBAC meetings for now. He also needs to get up to speed on health reform and what the County needs to do to deal with this major change. He suggested that for the next phase of recruitment, the Board may want to consider using a recruiting firm. He can work on a scope of work and get some price quotes on this. He thinks it is usually $20,000 to $25,000. He could arrange for a quick RFP from four or five firms. They typically do the initial screening, a videophone interview, and other things, depending on what the Board wants. The Board should learn what they recommend, and why. The firms are usually large, and there are just a handful dealing with the public sector. This is what they do, and they may have a better sense of the candidate pool. This process also gives potential candidates a chance to check out the County, too, without a lot of fanfare. Commissioner Baney reiterated that people currently employed are concerned about the housing market and other factors. Once a person applies for a position and it becomes public, if they do not get the job, it makes their lives very awkward. In addition, clearly, coming into a bad housing market is a consideration. Another concern is if their spouse might need to find employment as well. Mr. Kropp was instructed to come up with a plan, find out the potential costs, and keep the Board informed. 3. Other Items. Mr. Kropp said he has been asked to draft a letter for the credit union bill, for Board review. This will give credit unions more flexibility in lending. The Commissioners support these efforts. ___________________________ Chair DeBone asked the Board if they would support a letter to Sunriver Owners Association in regard to their application for recognition for their efforts in asbestos mitigation and Brownsfields funding. The Commissioners indicated approval, and that Chair DeBone could sign on their behalf, representing the Board. Commissioner Unger had to leave the meeting at this time. BANEY: Move Chair signature of a letter supporting this application. DEBONE: Second. VOTE: BANEY: Yes. DEBONE: Chair votes yes. Being no further items addressed, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. DATED this Zf~ Dayof YV}Vt u...-2012forthe Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. ~~ Anthony DeBone, Chair Alan Unger, Vice Chair ATTEST: ~~ Tam~SSioner Recording Secretary Minutes of Board of Commissioners' Work Session Friday, March 9, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Pages Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 -Fax (541) 385-3202 -www.deschutes.org WORK SESSION AGENDA DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 2:30 P.M., FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 I. (Tentative) Executive Session, called under ORS I 92.660(2)(a), to consider the Employment of a Public Officer or Employee 2. Open Session: Update on County Administrator Recruitment Efforts -Erik Kropp 3. Other Items PLEASE NOTE: At any time during this meeting, an executive session could be called to address issues relating to ORS 192.660(2) (e), real property negotiations; ORS 192.660(2) (h). litigation; ORS 192.66O(2)(d). labor negotiations; ORS \ 92.660(2)(a), to consider the Employment of a public officer or employee; or ORS 192.660(2) (b), a personnel issue. Meeting dates, times and discussion items are subject to change. All meetings are conducted in the Board ofCommissioners' meeting rooms at J300 NW Wall St., Bend, unless otherwise indicated. Ifyou have questions regarding a meeting. please call 388-6572. I I f Deschutes County meeting locations are wheelchair accessible. Deschutes County provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. For deaf. hearing impaired or speech disabled, dial 7-1-1 to access the state lTansfer relay service for TIY. Please call (541) 388-6571 regarding alternative fonnats or for further information.