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20130131 AAAfteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 1 City Commission Meeting City Hall, Commission Chambers, 3rd Floor, 1700 Convention Center Drive January 31, 2013 Mayor Matti Herrera Bower Vice-Mayor Michael Góngora Commissioner Jorge R. Exposito Commissioner Jerry Libbin Commissioner Edward L. Tobin Commissioner Deede Weithorn Commissioner Jonah Wolfson Interim City Manager Kathie G. Brooks City Attorney Jose Smith City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Visit us at www.miamibeachfl.gov for agendas and video "streaming" of City Commission Meetings. ATTENTION ALL LOBBYISTS Chapter 2, Article VII, Division 3 of the City Code of Miami Beach, entitled "Lobbyists," requires the registration of all lobbyists with the City Clerk prior to engaging in any lobbying activity with the City Commission, any City Board or Committee, or any personnel as defined in the subject Code sections. Copies of the City Code sections on lobbyists laws are available in the City Clerk's Office. Questions regarding the provisions of the Ordinance should be directed to the Office of the City Attorney. Special note: In order to ensure adequate public consideration, if necessary, the Mayor and City Commission may move any agenda item to the alternate meeting date, which will only be held if needed. In addition, the Mayor and City Commission may, at their discretion, adjourn the Commission Meeting without reaching all agenda items. CITY MANAGER DISCUSSION SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING ACTION SUMMARY: Proceed with the following three candidates, Mr. Morales, Ms. Cepero and Mr. Rollason, to the next round. Motion by Vice-Mayor Góngora; seconded by Commissioner Wolfson. Voice vote taken: Approved; 7-0. TO DO: Mayor's Office to coordinate another Special City Commission meeting in approximately 30 days. Meeting called to order at 4:54 p.m. All present. Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 2 Mayor Bower thanked and welcomed the audience. Mayor Bower explained that today the City Commission was going to do the deliberation of the City Manager's search. Ms. Renee Narloch, of Bob Murray & Associates, recapped the process. Ms. Narloch explained that yesterday, January 30, 2013, the City Commission (as a group) interviewed each of the candidates, and today there were follow-up interviews that were conducted one-on-one between each City Manager candidate and the Mayor and Commissioners. The candidates met with the Mayor and the City Commissioners individually for approximately 30 minutes. The January 30, 2013 interviews have aired by now on MBTV77. The City Commission is reconvening this afternoon to determine where they stand in the process. Ms. Narloch wishes to obtain the City Commission’s consensus of the candidates. Ms. Narloch posed the following questions: Were there candidates that you are happy with? Is the next City Manager among those candidates? If so, maybe the City Commission can reach consensus, and a short list can be developed so they may move forward in the process. Commissioner Weithorn stated that she does not know how her colleagues feel, but she wants to propose that in the event that they do not select a City Manager today, and she believes it is unlikely that the City Commission will get there today, she would like a cone of silence, whereby the City Commission cannot be lobbied or contacted. Commissioner Weithorn explained that at this point in the process, she wants politics out of the decision. Commissioner Weithorn expressed that personally there are several candidates in the group that she can live with as the next City Manager. Mayor Bower commented that she thought the idea was great. Commissioner Wolfson inquired if they can speak directly with the candidates if they have further questions of them. Commissioner Weithorn responded in the affirmative. Commissioner Wolfson then stated that he is fine with that. It is a self-imposed agreement that they will not be lobbied by the outside world, but if there is a candidate they want to talk to, if they short list, then they can. Commissioner Libbin stated, “We all agree.” Commissioner Weithorn explained, for the members of the public, that when the City Commission actually deliberates, public comment could be heard at that time. Commissioner Tobin asked for clarification from Commissioner Weithorn. How do you see us managing that process for people who want to express their opinions prior to the City Commission voting on a City Manager? Commissioner Weithorn responded that she thinks the City Commission could do it in a public forum, when the City Commission deliberates. At that time, the City Commission can carve out time at the meeting to take that public testimony. Commissioner Tobin inquired as to what to do when the Mayor or Commissioners get e-mails in reference to a candidate from residents that are not watching right now and who do not know about the City Commission self-imposed cone of silence. Commissioner Tobin added that he Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 3 knows that there has been a waterfall mammoth of lobbying by one of the candidates, but going back to the question, what do they propose when our offices receive such e-mails? Commissioner Weithorn explained that what she intends to do is respond back by stating that the City Commission imposed a cone of silence. Commissioner Tobin suggested bringing the e-mails to the Commission meeting, and bringing the matter up at the meeting. Commissioner Weithorn concurred. Vice-Mayor Góngora stated that what he thought Commissioner Weithorn was saying was that she did not want the candidates contacting her directly or on their behalf. Vice-Mayor Góngora stated that he did not think they could prevent residents from e-mailing us on this subject. Commissioner Tobin added that he did not want to discount the resident’s opinion on this matter. Mayor Bower stated that she thinks that residents are free to e-mail, but they should not expect a response. Maybe what they should do is make sure that the residents send the e-mail to everyone (both the Mayor and Commissioners.) Commissioner Wolfson stated that as he goes back and thinks about this, it is a heck of a lot of imagination that they do not want to be argued or talked to about something. It does not bother him. Anybody can talk to him, and he will do what is right. Commissioner Weithorn reiterated that she does not mind being lobbied; but people expect a response, and that is where she has the problem. The public wants a response and expects to engage in dialogue. Commissioner Weithorn does not have a problem with people sending information, but she does have a problem when people want to hold a conversation on this matter. Commissioner Weithorn’s preference is that if someone wants to send something, they send it to the City Clerk, and the City Clerk can disseminate the information to the Mayor and Commission. She thinks comments like that are appropriate, but she does not think engaging in a conversation or setting up a meeting or lunch is fair to the candidates, and she personally does not want to politicize the process, and that is her vote. “If you do not agree, you can vote against it.” Commissioner Wolfson stated that it is noble, and he agrees with the foundation of what Commissioner Weithorn is trying to accomplish. Commissioner Libbin inquired how long they are going to delay this. Mayor Bower responded “quite a while.” If they do not select a City Manager today, they cannot meet for a while, as she and Commissioner Exposito are going out of town. Commissioner Wolfson suggested that they should discuss it. Let us see where they are, as they have a process. If they cannot do it today, they can figure it out Monday, February 4, 2013. Mayor Bower inquired as to the process. She wants to know what is expected of the Commission today. Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 4 Commissioner Tobin suggested that each person says their peace or what they think, and unless Renee Narloch suggests a different protocol, he volunteers to be first. Ms. Narloch responded that the suggestion was fine. Commissioner Tobin stated that he was very impressed by all of the candidates. He thought they all had special qualities. Without going into detail, because of time, he was impressed by different things about almost all of the candidates. He stated that Mayor Bower at times thinks a conspiracy is in progress, and wanted to make his position clear and straight for the record. Commissioner Tobin explained that he has said to many people that while he thought that Manny Mayer (Emanuel Mayer), who is one of the candidates, has a lot of great qualities to do great things in the City, he did not know whether Mr. Mayer had the gravitas to take on the position as the City Manager because if Mr. Mayer were to upset somebody, “one of our powerful movers and shakers in the community”, that it would be very easy for a mover or shaker or two or three get together and malign this person and be able to knock him out of office. While he thinks that Manny Mayer had so many great qualities, which he showed the other day, and they know he performed well in the City when employed, Commissioner Tobin is not sure at this time if Mr. Mayer has the gravitas. Commissioner Tobin stated that Jimmy Morales has great gravitas, and he believes Mr. Morales needs a person likes that Manny Mayer who would make a great Assistant City Manager to handle certain things. Commissioner Tobin added that somehow he thinks one of the “famous flame throwers” in the City may have relayed to the Mayor that there was a deal made that Commissioner Tobin would select, or that the Commission would select, or some would select Jimmy Morales with a deal with Manny Mayer. The flamethrower who threw gasoline at The Miami Herald during recent debates, stated things that are not true. Commissioner Tobin indicated that the person he was referring to was a former Commissioner. Commissioner Tobin stated that while Mayor Bower has been asking these questions, Commissioner Tobin has been lobbied, and he does not use the term in a negative fashion, but there is one of the candidates, Monica Cepero, who has influential people in the community who have spoken on her behalf, and that is fine. He does not care who Mr. Morales hires, but whomever Mr. Morales hires, they had better deliver; otherwise, they will be looking at Kathie G. Brooks to take over again. Commissioner Tobin stated that he has always said to everyone who lobbied or talked to him that Morales has such a gravitas that this City is in need of; there is an open wound that needs to be healed. He also thinks that Mr. Morales has qualities in dealing with the County, from whom the City relies for many things. For so many reasons, Commissioner Tobin suggest that they select Jimmy Morales, and he would also suggest that they consider, as done with the Chief of Police, when they said to the Chief of Police, “listen Chief you are going to be Chief but they have all interviewed Overton, and they think Overton should be the number two, or number three or participate in some fashion in your Administration.” This is the same thing they could do here if you thought it was appropriate. We could say Mr. Morales you have the gravitas and all the credentials we are looking for. However, on the technical side, they would like you to consider strongly, and they are okay with it if you use Emanuel Mayer in some capacity as an Assistant in handling certain departments. Therefore, he would suggest that they make a decision tonight to have Jimmy Morales as the new City Manager, and he suggests that they bring on or approve of and give our blessing that if Mr. Morales wanted to select Emanuel Mayer he could work with Emanuel. Commissioner Tobin stated that he wanted to say something nice about the other candidates, because there were so many great things they said. He does not want to take the time now. He plans to send them a nice letter, they talked about so many things and it is important to get that. One of them talked about discretionary energy and said, "Every employee shows up for work and it is how a great leader calls that discretionary energy, how you get that person to give 100% instead of 60%.” He could complement each of them, but he will do it in a letter, and if the public is watching they had thoughtful, unique, passionate discussion, and it restores his faith in City Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 5 government. Commissioner Tobin got to see that there are people out there that really understand and appreciate the concept of motivating people to get the best out of them and they are not “it is my way or the highway.” There are real artists, technicians, scientists, professors and good people that applied, and he thanks them for applying and he was impressed and learned so much from them. The City did such a great job. Since the Convention Center day, he is proud of the City and this City is firing on all cylinders, and the City is going to get better and better, and he is proud to work with everyone and especially the Administration. The Administration has done a great job. His sentiment is a Morales/Mayer ticket. Mayor Bower asked Jose Smith, City Attorney, “How can we do that? Because we cannot tell a Manager whom to hire.” She asked the question “has anybody talked to you,” and she understands that Commissioner Tobin said that nobody has talked to anybody. However, she feels uncomfortable that after she asked the question, and everybody answered "no.” That now Commissioner Tobin has brought forward a combination team. Instead of saying I did not speak to anybody, I select Jimmy Morales, and I am confident that Jimmy Morales will select whoever is best for the City. Instead, Commissioner Tobin is saying I am picking a team, and so that taints up Jimmy Morales for stating in front of her – “I am putting on the record that I did not say anything, and did not speak to anybody and did not do anything incorrectly.” Commissioner Wolfson explained that he does not think there was a conspiracy. He think s the Mayor is however offering a valid point, as from a Charter perspective they are not allowed to give direction to the City Manager to hire anybody. Commissioner Tobin wanted to clarify that when he has members of the community talk about these candidates, he has said quite candidly that people have different strengths so he has said, “I like this strength about this person, and I like that strength about that person.” Somehow, somebody got the Mayor excited about the idea that there was somehow something wrong or somebody was doing something bad. Frankly, Commissioner Tobin stated, that he likes three or four of the candidates, and if he had his choice he would have Mr. Barwick doing a particular job because he is a solid person and they all have different talents and skills so he has said openly the same thing to everyone that discussed this matter with him. The Mayor clarified that because Commissioner Tobin keeps mentioning Nancy, and she does not think is fair. Nancy spoke to Mayor about supporting Monica. Moreover, she did not say Monica. She said “the lady,” because Nancy did not remember her name, and I said, "no, where did you hear that?” In addition, there was another rumor; Nancy has never spoken to her about Emanuel. Nancy may support him. The Mayor does not know where Nancy stands on Emanuel. Commissioner Tobin inquired of Mayor Bower as to who told her that there was a conspiracy. Mayor Bower responded that there were three or four people whose names she cannot remember, that told her about this. However, the only person who spoke to the Mayor regarding Monica Cepero was Nancy. The rumor was big enough and from many people that she thought, “how could this be?” When the she spoke to Jimmy Morales today, he offered and said, "You asked that question and I have to tell you that I did not ask, but people did come and mention to me that I should hire Manny, but there was no quit pro quo.” Commissioner Wolfson respectfully requested they have to get form to this, and suggested that they decide on the process to follow today. Are they shortlisting today; he inquired. Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 6 Commissioner Tobin stated that certainly they are supposed to be colleagues; it is as City Manager applicant Mr. Wilson said, "If we do not know where they are going, he cannot take us there.” Commissioner Tobin stated that he has never said anything different than what he is saying today, even a scintilla different, but somehow that turned into a conspiracy. Mayor Bower stated that she does not believe any rumor. However, if she hears it more than once, then she does want to clarify the rumor and she does this by asking questions. Commissioner Tobin expressed that he is glad they had a chance to discuss it. Mayor Bower stated that she believes Commissioner Tobin, and does not think that at any time, even when they argue, that he has any malicious intention whatsoever. Mayor Bower commented, “You are very similar to me; and like me, we want to get it out immediately.” Commissioner Wolfson proposed to short list three candidates, and suggested to write the names on a piece of paper and adding up the votes, or going down a line and come to a consensus. Mayor Bower asked whether to short list to three or four candidates. Commissioner Tobin suggested letting everyone else speak, to indicate how they feel about it, and clarified that he thinks they can make a decision today, but he wants to hear from his colleagues. He stated that he wants Mr. Morales to know that he will not be vilified, or pressured or in any way attacked by any of us up here if Mr. Morales decides to hire one or all of the other candidates or anybody else he wants to hire. In addition, you Mayor will not be upset about, and think there is a conspiracy because Mr. Morales has no construction and engineering experience. Mayor Blower asked Commissioner Tobin if he would agree that there are many people looking for jobs, who might apply, that have construction and engineering experience. Commissioner Tobin responded “yes,” but he does not know if anybody else worked here for two years, and knows the type of job all the employees do on a daily basis, and has evaluated every department that they have a problem with. Vice-Mayor Góngora stated that the Commission needs to stick to the agenda and the process. This was on the agenda as a debriefing and a short list, and he think s that is the direction that they need to go today. They spent the last two days at very lengthy meetings at City Hall. His suggestion is to short-list to three. We are currently at six. If people do not want to say the names aloud, then let us write them down as they do with the boards and committees, and move on. Voice Vote – Jimmy Morales Mayor Bower inquired, as to how many agree on Jimmy Morales. A voice vote was taken and all the Commissioner and the Mayor agreed on Jimmy Morales being shortlisted. (Approved 7-0 to shortlist Mr. Morales.) Voice Vote – Monica Cepero Vice-Mayor Góngora nominated Monica Cepero for the short list. Voice vote taken. (Approved 5-2 to shortlist Ms. Cepero, with Commissioners Tobin and Weithorn disagreeing.) Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 7 Commissioner Tobin stated that Broward County government is one of the most challenged governments in the country. They had four County Commissioners in the last ten or so years, that have been arrested or investigated and gone to prison. There are departments that are routinely in the newspaper for mismanagement; departments overseen by Ms. Cepero. He did not bring it up in a public forum because he did not think it was appropriate to air dirty laundry like that. But certainly, her resume speaks to running so much of Broward County government, so if she actually does run that much of the government, Commissioner Tobin would not expect her to be responsible for the myriad of scandals that have plagued that County in the last decade. However, if she does run as many departments as her resume claims that she runs, which he does not think is the case. He believes Ms. Cepero is more of a support staff person, and not an ACM, but there are barrels full of documents from the inside auditor that are pending in Broward County now. In addition to the dozens of telephone calls, received from everyone in the LGBT community to support her, Commissioner Tobin thought his colleagues would want to know some of the facts or things that he is concerned about to evaluate the whole picture. He does not think this should be a selection because friends called and gave pressure. Commissioner Tobin thinks that the facts should be known. Vice-Mayor Góngora stated that he has been lobbied the most on behalf of Jimmy Morales, and to push him forward and not Monica Cepero. Vice-Mayor Góngora explained that he first learned about Monica Cepero through Save Dade, an LGBT organization that she served on the board. He was happy that there was a minority, female, LGBT, Hispanic qualified candidate. That does not mean that he puts her above anybody else, and not below anybody else. Commissioner Tobin stated that he was not speaking about her sexual orientation, as he does not choose based on that. He is talking about factual matters that are disturbing and alarming to him. Commissioner Tobin will make his selection not based on sexual orientation but based on the qualifications of the candidate. He added that Ms. Cepero could be insulated from the matters he is referring to, but it is important to look at the matters prior the selection and not to taking a window dressing approach to it. Commissioner Tobin wanted to clarify that he was not saying that Ms. Cepero could not be in an extremely challenging organization; where there are so many problems that it is difficult for her to manage those problems. However, what he saw was that her approach and description of things was antiseptic and superficial in a County that is plagued with such an epidemic of issues and problems. He would think that the number three administrator in a County that is plagued with so much corruption would have a paradigm of how she approaches corrupt or mismanaged organizations. Commissioner Wolfson wanted to give some substantive comment. He came in yesterday with what he thought was a working understanding of who the candidates were by looking at their resumes. Then he met them, and it was a big realization that you really cannot judge by paper, because when Frank Rollason came in here, he knocked his socks off and he knows that he did that to others as well. Commissioner Wolfson put Mr. Rollason on the list. Mr. Rollason came off as an honest person, soft spoken, with all of the technical experience and information. Commissioner Wolfson remarked that he thinks it behooves us to short list Mr. Rollason without a doubt. Mayor Bower suggested putting it forward to see whom people vote for. Commissioner Wolfson stated that he would short-list Frank Rollason. Vice-Mayor Góngora concurred. Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 8 Commissioner Tobin stated that he would short list Manny (Emanuel) Mayer. Commissioner Libbin stated that he was very pleasantly surprised with Frank Rollason. He liked everything Mr. Rollason said, but he does not see him at this stage being a Manager after working 47 years in the City of Miami and not rising to the level of City Manager. Commissioner Libbin is not sure that is where he wants to go. Frank Rollason could come in and do a superb job on the assistant level. Mr. Rollason is the type of person that goes into the department that has problems and he fixes them, and does it very well. At this stage, Commissioner Libbin is not looking for someone to finish out his or her career; he is looking for someone to run the City into the future. He stated that he could see Mr. Rollason clean up some of the problems. He added that after 47 years in his work having not yet risen to the level of City Manager, and not moved on to another City to take that challenge, he has positioned himself as a specialist and does a good job as a specialist. Vice-Mayor Góngora stated that Mr. Rollason actually stepped down to run for the City Commission in Miami. He has not been working for 47 years; he left Miami after having been an Assistant City Manager and the head of the CRA in 2006 to run unsuccessfully for office. Commissioner Libbin stated he spent this afternoon, as his colleagues did, with the candidates, and most of the time with Mr. Rollason he was explaining in detail, because he asked him specifically “why he did not move on and go for the City Manager's job other than the one year interim term in Miami?” Mr. Rollason told Commissioner Libbin that time and time again that different Managers called on him to fix problems; and Mr. Rollason was glowing explaining how he was able to fix things - fixed the building department, fixed the accounting, and he had a wide range of tasks. Mayor Bower commented that now he can come and fix Miami Beach. Commissioner Wolfson requested a vote on the Mr. Rollason. Voice Vote – Frank Rollason Commissioner Wolfson nominated Frank Rollason for the short list. Voice vote taken. (Approved 5-2 to shortlist Mr. Rollason, with Commissioners Exposito and Libbin disagreeing.) Commissioner Tobin inquired of Commissioner Wolfson, if he is saying that Mr. Rollason is someone he may select as the City Manager. Commissioner Wolfson responded “Yes.” Commissioner Wolfson stated that he thinks one cannot sell Mr. Rollason short, just because he was an interim. Commissioner Wolfson expressed that Mr. Rollason has done wonderful things at different stages of his career. Mr. Rollason has tremendous amount of energy. He is old school. He has the right make up. Commissioner Wolfson does not hear bureaucratic rhetoric from Mr. Rollason; he has the experience. Mayor Bower stated that they need someone that the rest of the employees feel brings no baggage; that they are going to be confident that this person is going to look out for them, and is really going to straighten out Miami Beach. As you very well put it, Frank Rollason has come into places and fixed problems that have happened in the different departments, and in different places. We all have spoken of problems that they have in Miami Beach. That is what Mr. Rollason has done; and now, all of a sudden, because he has not risen to the City Manager position, they are speaking about other people, even though those people have not ever been Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 9 managers, like Morales. Yet they are not talking and saying the same thing about that, and she sometimes finds it hard to understand the reasoning, but she respects everybody’s reasoning. Mayor Bower thinks Mr. Rollason is qualified, has a no challenge attitude to him, and he is soft spoken. He is probably firm and probably not going to give anybody, including her, what they are looking for. Mayor Bower thinks that sometimes they need to have faith, and not always be comfortable with whom they are looking for. Commissioner Wolfson agreed with the Mayor’s statements. Commissioner Tobin stated that the Mayor made a suggestion that why he was not going to support Mr. Rollason, or why others might not support Mr. Rollason, is because Rollason never made it to the level of City Manager. Commissioner Tobin stated that he is okay with faith, as it is a good thing. However, Commissioner Tobin looks at Miami Beach as his infant or baby, and if he is going to hire a babysitter to take care of his child, then he will not base that decision on the same faith he may have on a horse or a car he plans on leasing. Commissioner Tobin thought Mr. Rollason had many good qualities. However, he did not like the fact that Mr. Rollason wore a sweatshirt and jeans to the interviews. Commissioner Tobin stated, “I like that he was a maverick and he stated that if somebody was not working on he would get rid of him and how he presented things in a John Wayne way and grew up in the Fire Department in the 60's in a town that was completely different than today. I think he was truthful, courageous and dedicated. In certain ways a pro.” Ultimately, what the City of Miami Beach is looking for is someone with a certain gravitas, which can withstand attacks from The Miami Herald or the wealthy people in the community. Commissioner Wolfson responded that he thinks Mr. Rollason has the gravitas. Mr. Rollason will walk into a meeting as himself with the personality that definitely could fill a room, he is strong, he is respectful and he has no baggage. Mr. Rollason has fixed multiple departments has been mentioned, and Commissioner Wolfson saw that this Commission was very positive towards Mr. Rollason. As the Mayor said, Rollason is the one person that there was no real talk about going into this. The employees want some sense that this Commission is going to put somebody forward, and pursue somebody outside of the political sphere entirely. If Mr. Rollason gets the position, it is because of his background and performance in the interviews. It is certainly not politics. Commissioner Tobin inquired that if Mr. Rollason gets into a run-in with the billionaires around town, because he does not agree with them, and there is a judgment fight between them. Do you think Rollason will carry the same gravitas with our residents? Commissioner Wolfson stated that he thinks that Mr. Rollason can hold his own. Commissioner Wolfson knows that Mr. Rollason had a bag full of run-ins over the years with people, and he is here before us. Mr. Rollason’s tenure was back in the days of Suarez and Carrollo, and in multiple situations, he did the right thing. Mr. Rollason lost his job as City Manager because he did the right thing. He would have been City Manager for years if he did what the Mayor wanted; and the Mayor wanted him to fire the police chief and he did the opposite. Mr. Rollason is a man of integrity. We have five votes to move him forward, and his integrity should not be attacked. Discussion continued. Commissioner Tobin agreed that Mr. Rollason has integrity. Ms. Narloch inquired of the Mayor and Commissioners if there was anyone that they were dropping off this list. Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 10 Discussion continued. Commissioner Tobin requested that they all list their top three candidates, not in any particular rank. Commissioner Wolfson suggested that the top three would go forward. Thereafter a paper vote was taken. As the votes were cast and counted, Commissioners continued to speak. Commissioner Exposito applauded the process, and complimented Ms. Narloch for the work done, and stated that he was impressed with the quality of the candidates. He was impressed with all the candidates, and complemented each of their skills. Vice-Mayor Góngora stated that he was pleased with the interviews, and the slate that the City reviewed. Commissioner Libbin stated that Commissioner Tobin raised the questions and issues about Ms. Cepero and the ethics challenge and corruption under her, or around her. In the interim, as it seems like she has moved forward, he directed Ms. Narloch to gather information so they have facts. Commissioner Tobin clarified that he did not say that Ms. Cepero has done anything wrong. Commissioner Libbin is suggesting that they get the facts. The City Clerk announced that the top three vote getters are: • Jimmy Morales; • Monica Cepero; and • Frank Rollason Clerk’s Note: The vote was as follows: Commissioner Exposito selected Mr. Morales, Mr. Barwick and Ms. Cepero Vice-Mayor Góngora selected Ms. Cepero, Mr. Morales and Mr. Rollason Commissioner Libbin selected Mr. Barwick, Ms. Cepero, Mr. Morales Commissioner Tobin selected Mr. Mayer, Mr. Morales and Mr. Rollason Commissioner Weithorn selected Mr. Wilson, Mr. Morales and Mr. Rollason Commissioner Wolfson selected Mr. Rollason, Ms. Cepero and Mr. Morales Mayor Bower selected Mr. Morales, Ms. Cepero and Mr. Rollason MOTION 1: Motion by Vice-Mayor Góngora to proceed with the three candidates (Mr. Morales, Ms. Cepero and Mr. Rollason); seconded by Commissioner Wolfson. Voice vote taken: Approved 7-0. Commissioner Libbin inquired as to what the next step would be. Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 11 MOTION 2: Motion made by Commissioner Wolfson to move up the schedule, as he has heard that Commissioner Exposito will be doing a training and will not be available. No second offered. Mayor Bower also stated that she too would be out of town. Commissioner Wolfson inquired if there was time to make a final decision on Monday, February 4, 2013. Commissioner Weithorn asked if they have to notice, or simply not adjourn today. Can the Commission just recess? Mayor Bower inquired of Ms. Narloch if she needed to do background checks. Ms. Narloch responded that she was going to start background checks on the three candidates, and explained that it is a 10-day process on average, but she suggests that the Commission move forward, and if there is an offer made it is contingent on that background check clearing. Mayor Bower requested a good background check. In other words, she does not want to find out after they hire somebody that has something there. Mayor Bower commented that “I do not want to push it so much that they do not have a background check.” Commissioner Tobin inquired of Ms. Narloch, what type of background checks was she speaking off? Ms. Narloch explained that they utilize Kroll, Inc. They will conduct criminal and credit checks in the County and the Federal levels, Civil Courts checks in the County and Federal levels, as well as driving records checks for DUI's and traffic violations. Commissioner Tobin stated that those are easy database checks, but Kroll does a good job. Kroll is an investigative agency out of Texas. They have different levels of background checks. They could do the one you could do yourself on your computer, or they could take a deeper look into the candidates and talk to neighbors and the same level that you would hire a police officer. Ms. Narloch suggested that if the Mayor and Commissioners want to talk to people in the community or talk to references, employers or officials about any candidate they will be glad to speak with you. They understand what is at stake, and it is not uncommon as Commissioners to do that level of conversation. Ms. Narloch stated that she can do it for the Commission, but she thinks it is important for the Commission to make these telephone calls, for their comfort level, if you have concerns about a particular candidate. Ms. Narloch will commence background checks immediately for the three candidates. Likewise, they need to look at what the structure is going to be when they bring them back. That is a date issue. She is good sleeping on this, and looking at everyone’s calendars. The good news is that all of the folks are local, so they can bring them back on a relatively short notice as opposed to planning for long distance travel. Therefore, that is what they are looking at. Commissioner Libbin explained that at least they are looking at a minimum of ten days for the background check; therefore, they are looking at least two weeks before they bring them back. Mayor Bower announced that she would be going out of town. Commissioner Wolfson expressed that they can definitely knock this out in the next thirty days. Afteraction January 31, 2013 City Manager Discussion Commission Meeting City of Miami Beach M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2013\01312013 CM Discussion\Aa01312013.Docx 12 TO DO: Mayor's Office will coordinate another meeting within approximately 30 days. Mayor Bower adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m.