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Home My WebLink About2001.12.11_Worksession Minutes OW ASSO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING Tuesday, December 11, 2001 The Owasso City Council met in special session on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 in the Lower Level Conference Room at Owasso City Hall per the Notice of Public Meeting and Agenda posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2001. ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Barnhouse called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. PRESENT Mary Lou Barnhouse, Mayor - 15/1 Randy Brogdon, Vice Mayor - 16/0 Will Williams, Councilor - 15/1 Rebecca Almstrong, Councilor - 15/1 Michael Helm, Councilor - 16/0 ABSENT STAFF Timothy Rooney, Acting City Manager Ronald D Cates, City Attorney Marcia Boutwell, City Clerk A quorum was declared present. ITEM 3: DISCUSSION RELATING TO BIDS RECEIVED FOR NEW AMBULANCE. Chief Allen discussed the bids received for a new ambulance. Seven bids were submitted and have been reviewed. Request for authorization to award the bid will be on the December 18th Council agenda. ITEM 2: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A REQUEST FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING AN AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES BETWEEN RODNEY J RAY AND THE CITY OF OW ASSO, SUCH EXECUTIVE SESSION PROVIDED FOR IN O.S. 25, SECTION 307(B)1. Mr Helm moved, seconded by Mr Brogdon, to enter into executive session for the purpose stated. AYE: Helm, Brogdon, Almstrong, Williams, Barnhouse NAY: None Motion carried 5-0, and the Council entered into executive session at 5:45 p.m., returning to open session at 6:40 p.m. Owasso City Council December 11,2001 ITEM 4: DISCUSSION RELATING TO DEQ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER. Mr Cates discussed the payment of penalties assessed as the result ofDEQ Administrative Order, Case No 01-901. This item will appear on the regular agenda on December 18th. ITEM 5: DISCUSSION RELATING TO A DETERMINATION OF RECOVERABILITY OF TELEPHONE SERVICE PROVIDED TO VOLUNTEER NETWORK OW ASSO. This item was withdrawn from the agenda by Councilor Almstrong. Councilor Almstrong out at 7: 1 0 P .111. ITEM 6: DISCUSSION RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: a. Change Order #5 - City Hall/Police Station b. FOP Litigation c. Water System Improvements d. Financing for Water System Improvements e. Ward Boundary Redistricting f. Centennial Park (Preston Lakes) g. Storm Siren System Replacement h. Tulsa Technology Center Sewer Paybacks 1. ODOT Grant Application J. Hotel/Motel Tax Mr Rooney updated the Council on each of the above-listed items. ITEM 7: ADJOURNMENT Mr Brogdon moved, seconded by Mr Williams, to adjourn. AYE: Brogdon, Williams, Helm, Barnhouse NAY: None Motion canied 4-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m. - 2 - OW ASSO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING Tuesday, December 4,2001 The Owasso City Council met in special session on Tuesday, December 4, 2001 in the Council Chambers at the Owasso Community Center, per public meeting called by the Vice Mayor at 6:59 p.m. on Friday, November 30, 2001, and notice and agenda posted on the City Hall bulletin board at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 3, 2001. ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Barnhouse called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. PRESENT Mmy Lou Barnhouse, Mayor - 14/1 Randy Brogdon, Vice Mayor - 15/0 H C "Will" Williams, Councilor - 14/1 Rebecca Arn1strong, Councilor - 14/1 Michael Helm, Councilor - 15/0 ABSENT STAFF Timothy Rooney, Interim City Manager Ronald D Cates, City Manager Marcia Boutwell, City Clerk A quorum was declared present. ITEM 3: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A REQUEST FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING MATTERS CONCERNING THE HIRING AND APPOINTMENT OF RODNEY J RAY TO THE OFFICE OF CITY MANAGER, SUCH EXECUTIVE SESSION PROVIDED FOR IN O.S. 25, SECTION 307(B)(l ). Mr Helm moved, seconded by Mr Brogdon, to enter into executive session for the purpose stated. Before voting, the floor was opened for comments. Councilor Armstrong stated that she is outraged by two members of the council going out and soliciting a city manager without full council approval. Ms Holly Cinocca, a local attorney, addressed the council, stating that she is concerned about the process being used to hire a new city manager. She is concerned that the procedure is improper, that meetings are being set improperly, and that agendas are being set improperly. She stated the councilors should listen to their constituents and do a search. She also stated that the council is being influenced by persons who have no accountability. John Groth, a former mayor, said that he believes the Council/Manager form of govenm1ent has been flawed, except when Mr Ray was city manager. He suggested it might be time to look at another form of government. Melinda Voss, a former council member, stated that she is concerned about the direction the council is taking. She said good leadership is important, and the council needs to know what the capabilities of a city manager are. That doesn't always show up on a resume or Owasso City Council December 4,2001 in an interview. Jerry Howard, a citizen, said that he is in favor of the council hiring Rodney Ray - that he has seen what Mr Ray has done for the city, that Mr Ray knows the city and knows the problems. Councilor Brogdon responded that the Mayor tried to appoint a search committee when Mr Mitchell resigned and could not get a majority of the council to agree on the make up of such a committee. He stated that when executives sessions were called, some councilors voted against going into executive session, and that when special meetings were called, some councilors did not show up. He said that there are certain things, including the hiring of a city manager, that may be discussed in executive session and those things will not be discussed with the general public. Council Brogdon said that he doesn't personally know Rodney Ray, but that other councilors have expressed an interest in him. Councilor Williams stated that he did not refuse to go into executive session - that he has been ill and unable to attend meetings. Councilor Armstrong stated that the special meetings called were not convenient for anyone except the Vice Mayor and another councilor. Councilor Helm asked Mr Cates if the council violated any laws by posting any executive session. Mr Cates said that all laws were followed in the calling and posting of all meetings. Mayor Barnhouse asked Mr Cates if there is a procedure the council should follow in the hiring of a city manager. Mr Cates said that there is no specific procedure. All the Charter calls for is that the person selected possess the qualifications for the position. With no other requests to address the council, the Mayor called for a vote to enter into executive session. AYE: Brogdon, Helm, Arn1strong, Williams, Bamhouse NAY: None Motion carried 5-0, and the council entered into executive seSSIOn at 7:35 p.m. Mayor Barnhouse reconvened the open meeting at 9:40 p.m. ITEM 4: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION TO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET, MANAGERIAL DEPARTMENT, PERSONAL SERVICES, INCREASING SAME IN THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO FUND AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OW ASSO, OKLAHOMA AND RODNEY J RAY. This item was withdrawn from the agenda. ITEM 5: CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OW ASSO AND RODNEY J RAY, SUCH AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF OW ASSO AND MR RAY'S APPOINTMENT THERETO; AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT. Mr Brogdon moved to appoint Rodney J Ray as City Manager for the City of Owasso, and that details of the employment agreement be listed on the next regular city council agenda for consideration. Motion seconded by Mr Helm. - 2 - Owasso City Council December 4, 2001 AYE: Brogdon, Helm, Barnhouse NAY: Almstrong, Williams Motion carried 3-2. Councilor Williams stated that he wanted the record to reflect that, through the interview process, he is comfortable with Mr Ray's ability to do the job; however, he is opposed to the process used to hire a city manager. ITEM 6: ADJOURNMENT Mr Brogdon moved, seconded by Mr Helm, to adjourn. AYE: Brogdon, Helm, Armstrong, Williams, Barnhouse NAY: None Motion carried 5-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m. ~ . k. Mary L u Barnhouse, Mayor - 3 -