03 Council Min 10-25-04
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PARIS
October 25, 2004
The City Council of the City of Paris met in special session at 5:30 P. M.,
Monday, October 25, 2004 at the Love Civic Center, 2025 South Collegiate
Drive, Paris, Texas. Mayor Fendley called the meeting to order with the
following Council members present: Jim Bell, Councilwoman Fisher,
Councilman Wilson, Councilwoman Wilkerson and Councilman Poston. Also
present were Interim City Manager Larry Shaw, City Attorney Larry W. Schenk
and Asst. City Clerk Sherian Dixon.
Mayor Fendley called for consideration and discussion of or providing direction
to staff regarding the City Manager selection process. He opened the floor for
comments and asked if there were some candidates they would like to have a
second interview with or would they like to see more candidates.
Interim City Manager Shaw said Chris Hartung had done the background and
reference checks.
Mayor Fendley said the two he would like to bring forward were Steven
Bonzcek and Tony Williams. Councilman Wilson agreed and mentioned that
they should send a letter to the other candidates so they will know they are not
being considered. It was the consensus to go ahead with those two candidates
and not ask for any other candidates.
Councilman Wilson asked how could he share a comment about one of the
candidates. City Attorney Schenk said if it was to the Council, it must be in
Open session. He indicated that if there was some question about a candidate,
it should be shared with Chris Hartung, because it is Mr. Hartung’s place to
verify that. A discussion of the Open Meetings Act ensued. Mr. Hartung
entered the meeting at 5:54 p.m.
On a question from Mayor Fendley, Mr. Hartung said this was it, as far as
candidates were concerned. Mr. Hartung indicated that they had done a fairly
complete background check on both. Mr. Hartung said there was nothing on
either one of these men that the Council should be concerned about. Council
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Council
October 25, 2004
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discussed the backgrounds of both candidates.
Mayor Fendley asked what did they do next. Mr. Hartung suggested scheduling
a second interview with each of the candidates. He said they would like to
interact with the department heads and get a better feel for the City.
Mr. Hartung said they were in the process of getting criminal background
checks through Pinkerton’s.
Councilman Wilson asked Mr. Hartung what the differences in the two
candidates were. Mr. Hartung said they differed in their style. He indicated Mr.
Williams was more laid back and knew the culture of East Texas while Mr.
Bonzcek was more direct and had more experience.
Mr. Hartung said that these candidates would want to know that the Council
was supportive of them. He said the first interviews were superficial and the
second interviews should be more focused and the questions should be more
specific.
Mayor Fendley directed Council to look at their calendars and give Interim City
Shaw two or three days they had open for interviews.
It was decided to do the interviews at the Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November
th
9 at 4 p.m.
Councilwoman Wilkerson asked if they were allowed to do personality tests on
the candidates with their contract with Waters Consulting. Mr. Hartung said
they were and this would be the time to do that. It was the consensus of the
Council to do personality testing.
Councilman Poston wanted to be sure when the candidates came back into
town, they would know where the people of Paris are employed.
Special Meeting of the City
Council
October 25, 2004
Page 3
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
______________________________
CURTIS FENDLEY, MAYOR
ATTEST:
__________________________________
SHERIAN DIXON, ASST. CITY CLERK