BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

SPECIAL MEETING

SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA

MARCH 24, 2006

 

 

     The following is a non-verbatim transcript of the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING OF SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA, held at 2:04 p.m., on Friday, March 24, 2006, in the SEMINOLE COUNTY SERVICES BUILDING at SANFORD, FLORIDA.

     Present:

     Chairman Carlton Henley (District 4)

     Vice Chairman Bob Dallari (District 1)

     Commissioner Randy Morris (District 2)

     Commissioner Brenda Carey (District 5)

     Commissioner Dick Van Der Weide (District 3)

     Acting County Manager Don Fisher (late)

     County Attorney Robert McMillan

     Deputy Clerk Eva Roach

 

CONDUCT INTERVIEWS FOR THE

COUNTY MANAGER POSITION

Chairman Henley stated at the last Board meeting (March 14, 2006), the BCC agreed to include another candidate, Don Elliott, for an interview on March 27, 2006.  He stated after hearing the candidates for today’s interviews, he would like to know whether or not the Board would like to continue with the interview on Monday with Mr. Elliott. 

     Commissioner Van Der Weide stated he has had some very good interviews today and quite frankly he has asked about every question he has thought about asking at this point.  He said he is happy with the process and he is ready to move this issue on.


     Commissioner Dallari stated he would like to echo Commissioner Van Der Weide’s statement and he was very pleased with some of the candidates.

     Chairman Henley stated he feels that actually talking with the candidates face-to-face causes them to have different impressions than what is shown on paper.

     Commissioner Morris stated he was pleasantly surprised with the candidates that he interviewed as they had some quite interesting responses in some of the areas.  He said he was very pleased with a couple of the candidates, but one rose to the top. 

     Chairman Henley suggested going ahead with the full commission interviews.  He said he feels it would be beneficial for the Board to hear the same type of questions and to hear the responses of the candidates. 

     Commissioner Morris explained why this meeting was not being televised. 

     Acting County Manager Don Fisher entered the meeting at this time.

     Colin Baenziger, Colin Baenziger & Associates, addressed the Board to introduce the first candidate, Milton Dohoney, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Lexington Fayette Urban County Government in Kentucky.

     Interview for Candidate #1, Mr. Dohoney, began at 2:12 p.m.  Mr. Dohoney thanked the Board for allowing him to interact with them today.  He stated he did some prior research of Seminole County and he likes what he sees thus far.  A question/answer period followed.  Upon inquiry by Chairman Henley, Mr. Dohoney advised if he is hired for the position, he would be available to begin the position in early June.  The interview concluded at 2:28 p.m.

     Mr. Baenziger introduced Candidate #2, Keith Chadwell, Assistant County Manager, Fulton County, Georgia. 

     Interview for Candidate #2, Keith Chadwell, began at 2:29 p.m.  Mr. Chadwell thanked the Board for their consideration.  He stated he had an opportunity to do a cursory review of Seminole County and he feels there is a great deal about the County that represents more opportunities than challenges.  A question/answer period followed.  Upon inquiry by Commissioner Van Der Weide, Mr. Chadwell advised he would like to negotiate a 30-day time frame if he is hired for the position.  The interview concluded at 2:46 p.m.

     Chairman Henley recessed the meeting at 2:47 p.m., reconvening it at 2:51 p.m.

     Interview for Candidate #3, Cindy Coto, began at 2:52 p.m.  Ms. Coto advised the Board of her background, stating she has 32 years experience in local government.  She stated her most recent experience was being the County Manager in Volusia County.  She said she feels that her experience with Volusia County makes her an excellent candidate for this position.  A question/answer period followed.  Upon inquiry by Commissioner Van Der Weide, Ms. Coto advised she can begin working around May.  The interview concluded at 3:02 p.m.

     Mr. Baenziger introduced Candidate #4, Pam Brangaccio, stating recently she was the County Manager of Bay County, Florida.  He stated prior to that she worked in Charlotte County as an Assistant County Manager.

     Interview for Candidate #4, Pam Brangaccio, began at 3:04 p.m.  Ms. Brangaccio stated she has enjoyed this day and she appreciates the Board’s candor.  She added that this has been a great experience.  A question/answer period followed.  Upon inquiry by Commissioner Van Der Weide, Ms. Brangaccio advised she can start work around the end of April or the beginning of May.  The interview concluded at 3:14 p.m.

     Chairman Henley asked the Board if they would like to hold off on selecting a County Manager until after the last interview on Monday, March 27, 2006 or would they like to make a decision today. 

     Commissioners Van Der Weide, Morris and Dallari advised that they are prepared to move forward with making a selection today.

     Discussion ensued relative to the salary cap, the benefits package and severance pay.  Commissioner Dallari recommended offering the contract that is presently in place and then have the Chairman to negotiate the salary range.

     Robert McMillan, County Attorney, submitted business cards to each Board member to vote for their number one choice.  After the vote, he advised Commissioners Henley, Dallari, Van Der Weide and Morris selected Cindy Coto.  Commissioner Carey selected Pam Brangaccio.

     Motion by Commissioner Van Der Weide, seconded by Commissioner Carey to unanimously make Cindy Coto as the number one selection for the County Manager’s position.

     Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.

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     Mr. McMillan submitted business cards to the Board to vote for their number two choice.  He stated Commissioners Dallari, Henley, Carey and Morris selected Pam Brangaccio as the number two choice.  Commissioner Van Der Weide selected Keith Chadwell. 

     Motion by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Dallari to unanimously make Pam Brangaccio as the number two selection for the County Manager’s position.

     Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.

Business cards showing the number one and number two selections were received and filed. 

Upon inquiry by Chairman Henley, Mr. Baenziger advised he will handle the situation with Mr. Don Elliott, the candidate scheduled to be interviewed on Monday, March 27, 2006. 

     Chairman Henley requested that Mr. McMillan contact Ms. Coto relative to the Board’s decision.  He stated if there is a penalty fee for canceling Mr. Elliott’s ticket, the County will pay for that.  The Board had no objections.

     Mr. McMillan stated since the Board authorized the standard contract, the salary can be negotiated at the Board’s meeting this Tuesday (March 28, 2006). 

     The Board discussed the issue of when the Board expects Ms. Coto to start work.

     Upon inquiry by Commissioner Dallari, Mr. McMillan advised Ms. Coto will have to live in Seminole County if she takes the position. 

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     Chairman Henley informed the Board that they can expect some press coverage on an issue and he will have the Acting County Manager to brief the Board individually on it.

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     There being no further business to come before the Board, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m., this same date.

 

 

ATTEST______________________Clerk_____________________Chairman

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