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Madeira Beach names interim city manager
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007 |
MADEIRA BEACH – The Board of Commissioners turned to a familiar resource to run the city until a permanent replacement for City Manager Jill Silverboard is found.
The commission reached a consensus at their Nov. 6 workshop meeting to appoint Public Works Director Michael Maxemow as interim city manager. Maxemow has held that position on two previous occasions, the latest being three years ago when the search that brought Silverboard on board was under way.
The choice of Maxemow was nearly unanimous. Only Commissioner Nancy Oakley, who favored hiring someone outside of the current city government, dissented. Oakley alluded to a controversial decision made during Maxemow’s last term as interim manager to upgrade pay scales and grant salary increases to upper level city employees, including Maxemow. The request was signed off by a majority of commission members outside of a public meeting format. The pay plan adjustments were later canceled.
Commissioner Steve Kochick termed Oakley’s suggestion of hiring an outside candidate “a slap in the face” to city employees and said he would not even consider the idea.
“If (city employees) are not qualified, why are they here?” Kochick said.
Maxemow will receive about $7,000 extra in pay and benefits over the estimated four-month interim period.
Other internal candidates considered were Community Services Director Paula Cohen and fire Chief Derryl O’Neal. Finance Director Monica Mitchell and City Clerk Denise Schlegel had indicated they were not interested in the position.
City Attorney Michael Connolly said legal issues could arise from the selection of O’Neal. The law says that persons holding a constitutional office cannot take another, Connolly said.
O’Neal’s holding both the fire chief and city manager’s position could be considered “dual office holding,” Connolly said.
Mayor Charles Parker disagreed, citing a case in Treasure Island where the fire chief had also served as interim city manager.
Kochick praised Maxemow as an experienced administrator “that knows what’s going on.” He said city operations run well under Maxemow’s leadership.
Citizen Dewey Leigh commended the commission for selecting Maxemow.
“Mike is the perfect person for the job,” Leigh said.
Maxemow pledged to “keep the ship sailing straight” during his interim term and promised “everything will be done above board.”
Following the selection of Maxemow, Oakley turned to Parker and said, “You got what you wanted, Charlie. Again.”
Oakley had complained that her opinions were not being listened to by the mayor.
“My opinion doesn’t mean anything,” she said, when asked by Parker to comment on the interim manager selection.
Meanwhile, the search for a permanent city manager continues. Human Resources Director Deborah Cline reported that three qualified candidates have applied for the job in response to the city’s current advertising in electronic media.
They are: Peter Cavalli, Belleair Beach community services and IT director; Markae Rupp, a former city clerk in West Melbourne; and James Vardalis, a consultant with a strong academic background who formerly held city manager positions in several small Florida communities.
The commission decided against imposing a deadline for the hiring of a new manager, as recommended by Parker. Commissioner Arnold Alloway said there should be no time limit on the process.
“We’ll hire as soon as we find somebody qualified,” he said.
New regulations for solicitors
In other business, the commission agreed to a new ordinance that will prohibit public solicitation throughout the city, except by permit.
Also, soliciting must be done from a permanently enclosed structure that meets city codes. Booths, tents, kiosks, carts and canopies are not allowed.
Solicitations by charitable, religious, or political organizations are the exception.
The ordinance “prohibits solicitation in any place other than a permanent structure,” attorney Connolly said in summarizing the law’s intent.
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Article published on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007
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