CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
April 9, 2014
Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
6:30 P.M. Open Session
Mayor Briden calls the meeting to order at 6:45PM
A. Council Members
1. City Manager Search (by Mayor Briden)
Director Waterbury was called to the podium.
The search will be contained to regional once a salary range is established. It will go in print on Monster and on ICMA. Right now the resumes which were received are minimal this could be due to a lack of salary range information.
Assistant Mayor Rose stated that a low salary range done previously provided a similar situation.
Solicitor Chapman reads the qualifications as required by City Charter.
Mayor Briden asks the Human Resource Director of they could list a salary range. The response is yes and they can factor in a benefits package as well.
Councilman Cunha suggests they try lower then see what they get as they can always can adjust up.
Based on Council discussion Director Waterbury suggests $115,000-$130,000 to Start off with 3 weeks vacation and 15 sick days and 4 personal days.
A discussion ensues regarding a City Manager vehicle and what it should be.
The Acting City Manager speaks and states to Council one of the links that is missing in the equation is that when you have an organization such as this you don't try to whittle and pay less than the department heads who report to the City Manager. Paying the City Manager less than all 6 predecessors and he is your number one guy or gal to nickel and dime is a big mistake. Other City Managers in RI start at $140,000 this is a big job with political angles at the City Manager all the time and it is non-stop not like a president of a corporation. I know what that's like this is different. You may find someone to take a lower salary but to get someone terrific you will have to pay more. $135,000-$140,000 and they should not have to worry about sick days if they are terrific on the job but come down with pneumonia you would want them to take the time they need. To treat each individual like part of organization is important what if they broke a leg would you not pay them? You want someone to carry out the policies of the Council.
Councilman Cunha asked if department heads have a car and 3 weeks vacation.
The City Manager stated that in industry you always try to pay 10% more at every level.
Mayor asked the Human Resource Director to read the listing of City Manager salaries in RI.
The City Manager suggests to Council not to limit sick days usually someone's record of sick days at that level is a lot less.
Director Waterbury asks if Council wants to see resumes as they come or at end all at once.
Councilwoman Rossi and Assistant Mayor Rose state they would like to see them as they come in.
Director Waterbury stated that she will send the Council those resumes that meet the minimal qualifications she will scan and send them via email.
A motion is made to set the salary range from $115,000-$130,000 by Councilwoman Rossi, seconded by Assistant Mayor Rose and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
2. Charter Amendment For A Mayoral Form of Government (by Mayor Briden)
Mayor Briden discusses the possibility of a Charter Study Commission. Stating why this could be in the best interest. It would have to be an independent study done perhaps through a university grant and including a review of the City charter and compare it to others with objective criteria. Having a study done outside will make it objective and they could make recommendation to a charter commission already in existence. We need to get it right as we are doing well now and if we make a change in haste like last time then 5 years from now we could be facing different things regarding taxes and bond rating. He states that he has read about New London and it didn’t always work out so well there when they made the change over. There is a benefit of an outside consultant or study Elmer Cornwall from Brown University has looked at this then also Lincoln and Seekonk did as well. The City can look at a Hassenfeld Public leadership study through Bryant or a RIPEC study.
Councilwoman Rossi states that if the City leaves it off the ballot they won't have that opportunity.
Mayor Briden states maybe it happens in 2016 if it is voted in the affirmative then the change would take place in 2018.
Assistant Mayor Rose its been 25 years since there has been a review of the whole charter.
Councilwoman Capobianco states it is not that she is not supportive of the vote but she feels they should take what a commission study says as it is not a small issue and it shouldn't be rushed.
Councilman Cunha and Assistant Mayor Rose agree.
It is agreed that the subject will be placed on the April 15, 2014 Council Docket and will be moved up early in the meeting so that there can be discussion and public input.
A motion to adjourn at 6:45PM is made by Councilwoman Rossi, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
*If communications assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 435-7590.