The Wellman City Council met in special session in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building at 7:30pm. Mayor Ryan Miller presided with the City Clerk and following Council Members: Marc Pennington, Doug Powell, Fern Bontrager and Johnny Schwartz; absent: Steve Slaubaugh. Also present was: Mary Zelinski from the news media. The Agenda was approved upon motion by Pennington, second by Bontrager and all aye votes.

The purpose of the special meeting was to review candidates interviewed for the city administrator position. Six applicants have been interviewed over the past week and half. Identified by numbers rather than name, the Council discussed their number one and number two choices. They all agreed on the same two individuals with candidate #3 being first and candidate #44 being second except for Schwartz who had #44 as his first choice. They discussed the reasons for their choices based on resumes and interview responses. After further discussion Pennington moved to offer candidate #3 the position and conduct background and reference checks. Should that candidate not fulfill the requirements after the checks, candidate #44 is to be contacted with the third choice being #47. The motion gives the Mayor authority to proceed with any and all candidates as required. Schwartz seconded the motion with all present voting aye.

The draft of the employment contract was reviewed. Mayor Miller had made changes to it based on previous contracts and the Council’s suggestions from the last meeting. A few minor changes were made to the draft with Bontrager moving to approve the contract pending the City Attorney’s review. Pennington seconded the motion and all voted aye. The Mayor will send the contract to the attorney for his review.

The Mayor and city staff will proceed with the necessary paperwork and reference checks to facilitate final approval at the Monday, September 19 meeting. It is expected the new administrator will start the first to second week in October.

In general administrative discussion items discussed were:

Holding an open house at the new reverse osmosis water plant provided the building lends itself to tours.

Parking stripes will be painted in the down town area early Friday morning by a contractor the Mayor contacted. City workers will clean the streets prior to the painting.

The west side down town tunnel to the parking lot is in need of painting and cleaning up. Someone has expressed interest in purchasing the space and enclosing it. It was Council consensus to clean it up for now and retain City ownership of it.

The Public Works Director has discussed with the Mayor the possibility of hiring a contractor to install the new radio read gas and water meters. Shumaker is to get cost estimates. Various options were discussed with the conclusion that City workers should schedule and do the changeouts for now rather than the extra expense of an outside contractor.

A sander was purchased at Duwa Auction for $2,950, less than anticipated.

To apply for the CDBG grant for the wastewater improvements the City will have to conduct a Low to Moderate Income Survey. The Mayor asked for volunteers to help canvas the City.

The Quad County Porkfest is scheduled for October 8 at Parkside Activities Center and North Park. It was Council consensus to waive the rental fee for the banquet room as the City’s contribution for the event.

With no further business Bontrager moved for adjournment at 8:33pm, Powell seconded and all voted aye. The next regular City Council meeting will be Monday, September 19, 2011, 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Wellman Municipal Building.

Minutes transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.