Interim City Manager MemoOctober 30, 2008
To: Council Members
City of Kalispell
FRM: Interim City Manager
RE: CM Items
The purpose of this memo is to add my own thoughts to some of the agenda items at the meetings.
Nov 3 Council Meeting
1. Resolution 5320 Hwy 93 Siderius Commons: There are some advantages to development south
of the city not the least of which is its proximity to the treatment plant. At the present time the
utilities in this area have plenty of capacity so we need to guide some of our planning effort to
this area. This resolution is a step in that direction.
2. Brownfield Grant: There are basically two kinds of development from the infrastructure stand
point. Peripheral development that requires the construction of new infrastructure and infill
development that uses infrastructure already in place. From the standpoint of costs infill
development has the major advantage not adding any additional costs either construction or
maintenance. Development in the present rail line area would be infill development. But no
developer will be interested unless potential contamination issues are known. This grant, if
funded, would provide the environmental information required for developers to consider
building in this area. This is a long term project but it has the potential to save the city significant
future infrastructure costs.
Nov 3 Workshop
City Manager Selection Process: 1 have talked to a lot of people on this important subject. I think we can
manage the process without a consultant. I don't think a consultant adds that much to the mix and we
will end up doing the heavy lifting whether we have a consultant or not. I have asked the staff for input
and they ask that some of the directors be on the selection committee. The final selection is the
council's sole prerogative but they would like to provide input during the winnowing down process. I
agree. The staff lives with the city manage everyday and their opinions should be considered. We
should also have some representatives from the community at large and whoever on the council that
wishes to participate. The selection committee that winnows the candidates can change members as we
proceed.
I recommend, for discussion, the following steps:
• Discuss required/desired qualifications, salary and benefits, distribution of announcement and
selection committee membership (Council Workshop)
• Distribute announcement and collect resumes (Staff)
• Based on qualifications winnow the resumes to not more than 20(Selection committee).
• Send the "20" questions to answer in writing. Winnow the candidates to 10(Selection
committee)
• Conduct phone interviews of the "10" (Selection committee)
• Using the resume, writing sample, and phone interview winnow the candidates to 3-5 that will
be offered an interview. Conduct background checks. (Se lection committee)
■ Conduct interviews and select primary candidate(Council workshop)
• Negotiate contract (iCM/Council)