Interim clerk on board at Motley City Hall, intern to begin soon
At a special meeting June 28, the Motley City Council accepted the proposal of David Drown Associates (DDA), Inc., to assist the city with their search for a new city clerk/treasurer. In addition, they learned that an interim city clerk was in place and approved having an intern work at city hall as well.
The fee for the search process is $12,000 but because the city is a member of NJPA (National Joint Powers Alliance), the total cost to the city is $6,000, because NJPA will pay 50 percent of the total fee. This fee covers professional services and all expenses including travel, advertising, personality index, background checks on all finalists, etc.
Gary Weiers, who works out of the Fairbault office of DDA, will be leading the service team during this search process. Communication with the city council and staff is a high priority. Weiers indicated in a letter to the council that he will be on site regularly throughout the search process and will provide weekly e-mail updates to the council throughout the process.
According to a tentative timeline provided to the council, Weiers will meet individually with council members to gather information and review the job description. A one page advertisement will be developed and once approved (possibly at the next regular council meeting July 11), be posted immediately.
The following steps in the tentative timeline include candidate recruitment, screening of applicants and selection of finalists, background checks of finalists and interviews. A decision will be made by the council on Aug. 31, with a projected start date for the new city clerk on Sept. 19.
In the meantime, David Drown Associates assisted the city in placing an interim city clerk to assist during this process. Scott Saehr, of Pierz, will be at city hall 20 - 30 hours per week. His tentative work days will be Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Although Saehr will be the one to prepare city paychecks, they will be signed by Mayor Nancy Nieken and city council member Amy Hutchison.
Saehr is the former city administrator for the City of Pierz. He resigned and his last day was June 21.
Per a request of Saehr (who was not present at the meeting), the council approved a motion to no longer keep petty cash at city hall. He prefers people to pay bills by money order or check. If using cash, it must be the exact amount.
Saehr also requested that the printer currently in the hallway be moved into the clerk/treasurer’s office because of OSHA rules. The council approved this request.
The council also authorized having Saehr open up the office for them in order for them to retrieve paperwork they need. They will not have access to pertinent information of residents.
The council also approved Megan Oldakowski to work as an intern in the front office at city hall. This is through NJPA and will be at no cost to the city. Oldakowski’s tentative work days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Her primary duties will include those of a receptionist.
In other matters the council:
o APPROVED having Bruce Brotherton, public works supervisor; Mayor Nancy Nieken; and council member Steve Johnson be on a committee to look at solid waste company options.
o APPROVED a hiring committee for the clerk/treasurer, which will include Mayor Nieken, council member Amy Hutchison and Saehr. The council would also like to ask someone from NJPA and/or the City of Staples to be on this committee.
o SET a public hearing to discuss the Cimarron Drive Street Improvements Project for Monday, July 18, 6:30 p.m.
