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Minutes 05-24-05 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD AT THE BOYNTON BEACH LIBRARY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2005 AT 5:30 P.M. Present: Jeanne Heavilin, Chair Henderson Tillman, Vice Chair James Barretta Alexander DeMarco Doug Hutchinson, Director Absent: Don Fenton Marie Horenburger Steve Myott I. Call to Order Chairperson Heavilin called the Special Meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency to order at 5:42 p.m. The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared a quorum was present. II. Approval of the Agenda Motion Vice Chair Tillman moved to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Mr. Barretta and unanimously carried. III. New Business A. Consideration of the Assistant Director's Contract Mr. Hutchinson reported that there is a candidate for the Assistant Director position. The hire of the Assistant Director must be approved and ratified by the Board. There was a good selection of candidates that applied for the position and an offer has been extended to Ms. Lisa Bright as evidenced by the contract presented to the Board for approval. The compensation being offered to Ms. Bright for the Assistant Director position is at mid-point ($65,500). Mr. Hutchinson noted Ms. Bright's contract was adapted from his contract; therefore, there would be no departure from his contract. Mr. Hutchinson pointed out Ms. Bright was a top-notch candidate and her references were excellent. Mr. Hutchinson introduced Ms. Bright and invited the Board to provide comments and ask questions. Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 Vice Chair Tillman inquired if Legal had an opportunity to review the contract. Mr. Hutchinson explained Legal prepared the draft shell that had been used for a previous candidate. The name of the previous candidate was deleted and Ms. Bright's name was inserted. Also the other provisions that had been added to accommodate the previous candidate were deleted. Vice Chair Tillman asked Ms. Bright why she wanted to come to the Boynton Beach CRA. Ms. Bright responded that her current employer does not have an Assistant Director position and she feels that she has most of the skills required for the position. Vice Chair Tillman also asked Ms. Bright what she considered were her primary strengths, and she responded it was her ability to be a team player and develop long- term relationships. As far as weaknesses, Ms. Bright stated she was very direct, which she explained. Vice Chair Tillman asked Ms. Bright what she could bring to the CRA that would make it better. Ms. Bright presented her background in various areas. Mr. Hutchinson had informed her that her role would be more in operations and the day-to-day management of the CRA. She also has experience with redevelopment, particularly historic preservation and grant funding. Vice Chair Tillman noted the CRA is in need of a well-defined human resource element within its organization, and Ms. Bright thought that one of the reasons she was selected was due to her background in human resources. In her current position with the Delray Beach CRA she is in charge of human resources. She has spent eight years reorganizing Fortune 500 companies and has a great deal of experience in this area. Mr. DeMarco inquired where Ms. Bright resided and she noted she lived on Swinton Avenue in Delray Beach and was born and raised in Florida. Eventually, Ms. Bright would like to move into the City. Chairperson Heavilin requested to review the contract and questioned why the contract would be effective one year from October. Mr. Hutchinson explained that his contract and Ms. Bright's contract require that in October they would be evaluated, which means a contract cannot end before an evaluation. He pointed out that the contract would start on October 31 st that would allow time for the contracts to be extended at the October meeting. This same provision is in his contract as well, so that both contracts would be the same. Chairperson Heavilin pointed out that Ms. Bright would be on staff for approximately 14 to 15 months before she is reviewed. Mr. Hutchinson responded that Ms. Bright would still be reviewed in October, but he did not think it was fair to hire her for only four months under the contract. Only the contract would be up for renewal next year. Mr. Hutchinson would like to have the contracts changed to three-year contracts, and he will be doing some research to determine the norm for these types of contract. He felt it 2 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 was important that professionals be kept on board for more than one year. Ms. Bright was in agreement with this arrangement. On Page 5, in Section 7.3, the word "sign" should be changed to "signed" in the second line. Chairperson Heavilin inquired if Ms. Bright was fired for doing something horrific, would she receive severance as provided in Section 7.3.1. Mr. Hutchinson responded that Section 7.3.1. applied to unilateral termination, mutual agreement or resignation. There would be no severance paid for maleficence. Chairperson Heavilin did not see this stated anywhere in the agreement. Vice Chair Tillman noted this language was included in Article 6, but he did not see it anywhere else in the contract. He would like to have this language included in Article 7 (Termination of Contract) as well. Mr. Hutchinson stated the Board could approve the contract, subject to this revision. Mr. Hutchinson said it was included in his contract and he will speak with Legal to have the appropriate language added to the contract. Chairperson Heavilin had a question regarding Ms. Bright's duties and functions. She noted there was no provision that Ms. Bright would act as Executive Director in the absence of the Executive Director. Mr. Hutchinson stated only the Board could give Ms. Bright authority to act as Executive Director in his absence. He pointed out that her duties include supervising the agency staff when applicable. Mr. DeMarco asked Ms. Bright how this new position differed from her current position with the Delray Beach CRA. It appeared to Mr. DeMarco that her duties with the Boynton Beach CRA were different from the ones in Delray Beach. Ms. Bright explained what her current duties were with the Delray Beach CRA, her primary role being the right hand to the Executive Director on all executive matters. She is also Secretary to the Board and keeps staff advised of the meetings, etc. She is the Human Resource Director for the office and is in charge of all service contracts. She is also responsible for the properties that the CRA owns. She does public relations on behalf of the Agency and they are in the process of developing a media plan to address issues in their community. Ms. Bright supervises the office staff and handles the general duties connected with that function. She pointed out that the Assistant Director position is a promotional opportunity for her. Mr. DeMarco asked Mr. Hutchinson what Ms. Bright's duties would be with the Boynton Beach CRA. Mr. Hutchinson explained that the Delray Beach CRA does not have the same program as Boynton Beach. He feels that Ms. Bright's management skills will be beneficial to the agency. He pointed out that Ms. Bright's focus would be on operations, which requires a great deal of work and she will be taking on a big management role compared to Delray Beach. 3 Meeting Minutes Community Redevelopment Agency Special Meeting Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 Mr. DeMarco felt it was important Ms. Bright be aware of what she would be doing for the Boynton Beach CRA. Mr. Hutchinson explained that he went over this thoroughly with Ms. Bright during her second interview. Vice Chair Tillman noted the diverse programs that the CRA is involved in and asked Ms. Bright about her skills in dealing with the public. Ms. Bright explained she deals currently with business development grants, affordable housing units and the public on a daily basis. She stated in her resume that she has the ability to communicate from the basement to the boardroom. She pointed out the diversity that exists in Delray Beach and noted she has a sensitivity to people's needs. Ms. Bright has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology. There was a consensus among the Board that Ms. Bright was the right candidate with all the necessary skills that the CRA is in need of. Vice Chair Tillman pointed out it was important that Ms. Bright was aware of the growth taking place in the CRA, while maintaining the focus of the CRA mission. He felt that Ms. Bright was well aware of these issues and would be able to carry out the mission statement. Mr. DeMarco inquired if the Delray Beach CRA was aware that Ms. Bright was seeking this position and she responded they were aware of this. Mr. Hutchinson reported that Ms. Bright would begin her new position June 20th. Motion Vice Mayor Tillman moved to proceed with the consideration to hire Lisa Bright as Assistant Director with the changes necessary in the contract regarding termination as reviewed by Legal staff and with a starting date of June 20, 2005. Motion seconded by Mr. DeMarco. IV. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 6: 18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ,Á(,h~~ /tA - JtL M~ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (May 27, 2005) 4