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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Interview Interim Councilor Candidates AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 2/16/2021 Meeting Type: Work Session Staff Contact/Dept.: Nancy Newton/CMO Mary Bridget Smith/CAO Staff Phone No: 541-726-3700 541-744-4061 Estimated Time: 60 Minutes S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Mandate ITEM TITLE: INTERVIEW INTERIM COUNCILOR CANDIDATES ACTION REQUESTED: Interview candidates for Ward 1 Council Vacancy ISSUE STATEMENT: Ward 1 is vacant and the Council will interview potential interim candidates. ATTACHMENTS: ATT 1: Interview Schedule and Questions ATT 2: Kelly Mason Application ATT 3: Michelle Webber Application ATT 4: Thomas Lawrence Application ATT 5: Raymond Suit Application DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Council is scheduled to interview half of the candidates during this evening’s meeting and the other half on February 22, 2021 with deliberations scheduled for March 1, 2021. Springfield Interim Councilor City Council Interview February 16, 2021 Schedule 5 Minutes Council preparation of interview questions 10 Minutes Interview of Kelly Mason 10 Minutes Interview of Michelle Webber 10 Minutes Interview of Thomas Lawrence 10 Minutes Interview of Raymond Suit QUESTIONS 1. What are the primary reasons for your interest in the Ward 1 City Council position? 2. What unique abilities or experiences would you bring to the Council? 3. When faced with a complex problem with multiple solutions, what process would you use to select the best solution to the problem? 4. Please describe your understanding of the relationship between the City Council and Staff. 5. If there were three things in Springfield you were permitted to do, whether it be to add, eliminate or change anything, what would those be? 6. There are six City Council positions. What do you believe are the advantages and disadvantages of collective decision making and shared leadership? 7. Councilors are elected citywide rather than by ward. What advantages or disadvantages do you see with that process? Attachment 1, Page 1 of 1 Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield For more information please call the City Manager’s Office 541.726.3700 Return this application to the City Manager’s Office, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield Oregon 97477 Printed on Recycled Paper    City Manager’s Office • 225 Fifth Street • Springfield, OR 97477 Name: First Middle Initial Last Home address: Street City Zip Mailing address: Street City Zip Day Phone:Evening phone: Email Address: Preferred Form of Contact: __________________________ Do you live within the Springfield city limits? Yes If yes, how long? No Ward number: _____________ Occupation: Place of employment/School: Business address: Education: Are you currently serving on any other board, committee, or commission? If so, please list them here: Received 1/27/2021 2:32 p.m. RFG Kelly M Mason Harlow Rd Springfield 97477 Harlow Rd Springfield 97477 email/phone 25 years■ 1 Financial Aid Counselor University of Oregon Bachelors Degree Current Chair of CDAC (Community Development Advisory Committee) Attachment 2, Page 1 of 2 Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield For more information please call the City Manager’s Office 541.726.3700 Return this application to the City Manager’s Office, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield Oregon 97477 Printed on Recycled Paper    Please print or type: 1. Why do you want to be an Interim City Councilor? 2. What strengths do you bring to the position? 3. What makes you the most qualified candidate? 4. How do you see the role of an Interim City Councilor in addressing current challenges and supporting council priorities? 5. The City Council meets on average no less than four times per month. Council assigned subcommittees may meet more frequently. Meetings generally last a minimum of one and one-half hours. It is highly recommended you attend a meeting before submitting the application. Are you available to attend meetings on the dates listed for this committee? Comments: I certify the information in this application and attachments are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that false or misleading statements or missing information is cause for rejection of application, removal of name from eligible list, or dismissal from the position. I hereby waive my rights to claims or damages against any employer and the City of Springfield, its officers, agents, and employees, in regard to this exchange of information. I hereby authorize to permit the City of Springfield and/or the Springfield Police Department to review my background information and if required my DMV records. I have reviewed the Advisory and meet the minimum requirements to serve/volunteer in the desired position. I also authorize to permit any materials listed above to be copied and retained by the City of Springfield. I authorize the use of my photograph. I will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Springfield, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all liability or loss and against any and all claims, actions, causes of actions, proceedings or appeals based upon or arising out of or arising from or in connection with my conduct or performance as a volunteer with the City of Springfield including but not limited damage or injury to persons or property and including without limitation attorney fees and expenses; except for losses, claims or actions resulting from the sole negligence of the City of Springfield. Applicant Signature:Date: Yes No 01/27/2021 I am eager for the opportunity to serve the community that raised me! I have lived in Springfield Oregon my entire life, and as the current Chair of the CDAC of Springfield I see this opportunity as the next step in my public facing career as well an exciting chance to make a difference in Springfield. I am familiar with the duties of City Council as I currently serve as chair of the advisory committee to Council for CDBG and HOME funds. I am bilingual (fluent in Spanish) and am able to connect with and interact with the Latinx population in Springfield. I have a Bachelor's degree in PPPM (Planning, Public Policy, and Management) from UO and am almost done with my MPA (Master in Public Administration) from UO as well. I am the most qualified candidate because of my previous experience as the Chair and Vice Chair of CDAC for several years, my familiarity with the City of Springfield as a lifelong resident, and my education and background in public policy and local government. I believe that Springfield City Council is laking in diversity, gender, and representation of the community as a whole and I will be able to fill this gap with my unique experiences. As an interim City Councilor I will be ready to serve the existing council and meet the goals that have been outlined for the City of Springfield. With my previous experience and education I have an understanding of how local government operates, as well as City Council's role in getting the work done. I will offer a fresh and necessary perspective while also using this experience to ensure that our community is able to move forward in the right direction Attachment 2, Page 2 of 2 Attachment 3, Page 1 of 3 Attachment 3, Page 2 of 3 Attachment 3, Page 3 of 3 Attachment 4, Page 1 of 2 Attachment 4, Page 2 of 2 Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield For more information please call the City Manager’s Office 541.726.3700 Return this application to the City Manager’s Office, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield Oregon 97477 Printed on Recycled Paper {00017520:1} City Manager’s Office • 225 Fifth Street • Springfield, OR 97477 Name: First Middle Initial Last Home address: Street City Zip Mailing address: Street City Zip Day Phone: Evening phone: Email Address: Preferred Form of Contact: __________________________ Do you live within the Springfield city limits? Yes If yes, how long? No Ward number: _____________ Occupation: Place of employment/School: Business address: Education: Are you currently serving on any other board, committee, or commission? If so, please list them here: Ray J Suit Nicholas Drive Springfield 97477 Nicholas Drive Springfield 97477 Email 5 years 1 Principal Risk Analyst NortonLifeLock Political Science from University of Oregon (BS) No Attachment 5, Page 1 of 4 Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield For more information please call the City Manager’s Office 541.726.3700 Return this application to the City Manager’s Office, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield Oregon 97477 Printed on Recycled Paper {00017520:1} Please print or type: 1. Why do you want to be an Interim City Councilor? 2. What strengths do you bring to the position? 3. What makes you the most qualified candidate? 4. How do you see the role of an Interim City Councilor in addressing current challenges and supporting council priorities? 5. The City Council meets on average no less than four times per month. Council assigned subcommittees may meet more frequently. Meetings generally last a minimum of one and one-half hours. It is highly recommended you attend a meeting before submitting the application. Are you available to attend meetings on the dates listed for this committee? Comments: I certify the information in this application and attachments are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that false or misleading statements or missing information is cause for rejection of application, removal of name from eligible list, or dismissal from the position. I hereby waive my rights to claims or damages against any employer and the City of Springfield, its officers, agents, and employees, in regard to this exchange of information. I hereby authorize to permit the City of Springfield and/or the Springfield Police Department to review my background information and if required my DMV records. I have reviewed the Advisory and meet the minimum requirements to serve/volunteer in the desired position. I also authorize to permit any materials listed above to be copied and retained by the City of Springfield. I authorize the use of my photograph. I will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Springfield, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all liability or loss and against any and all claims, actions, causes of actions, proceedings or appeals based upon or arising out of or arising from or in connection with my conduct or performance as a volunteer with the City of Springfield including but not limited damage or injury to persons or property and including without limitation attorney fees and expenses; except for losses, claims or actions resulting from the sole negligence of the City of Springfield. Applicant Signature: Date: Yes No I have viewed recent Springfield city council meetings via YouTube recordings . 1-28-2021 Please see attachment Please see attachment Please see attachment Please see attachment Attachment 5, Page 2 of 4 Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield 1. Why do you want to be an Interim City Councilor? A. I have lived in Eugene/Springfield my entire life and proudly call this community my home. I am raising three children that are a junior in high school, an eighth grader, and a second grader. I tell my kids and strongly believe if you want a better community/city you must get involved to make the difference. I have been a volunteer for Kidsports since 2011 serving as the head coach for over 25 youth teams ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade. In some cases, I was the only parent that raised their hand to coach a sport I had never played or knew the rules. Also, for over 20 years I have been a volunteer coach, judge, and mentor to high school students in the DECA program that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to be college and career ready. I am always willing to jump in feet first and take on unexpected obstacles to help the youth of our community thrive and dream the possibilities. In the last year, I have witnessed City of Springfield manage multiples issues from protest and riots, community perception of Police, school and business closures due to COVID, unemployment, to homelessness. I recognize the challenges the City of Springfield is facing are not easy to overcome but I would like to contribute to the solutions. 2. What strengths do you bring to the position? A. I have been employed with NorotnLifeLock formerly Symantec for 16 years where I have acquired a strong background in financial analytics, risk management, budgeting, and cross- team collaborations. My educational background is in politics and legal. While studying at University of Oregon I was an office clerk in the Law School's Dean Office under Rennard Strickland and Laird Kirkpatrick. I have extensive knowledge of parliamentary procedure as served two terms as State Vice President and State President for Oregon DECA. I am also an active member of Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) which is the force behind the regional tech industry. My 25 years of involvement in the community will be a benefit to help ease community tension on key issues and help to provide an accurate representation of concerns. 3. What makes you the most qualified candidate? A. My connection with the City of Springfield through employment, associations, coaching, growing up here, and raising kids makes me an ideal candidate. My parents faced economic hardships growing up and I am familiar with the struggles that many citizens of Springfield are facing every day. 4. How do you see the role of an Interim City Councilor in addressing current challenges and supporting council priorities? A. I have had the pleasure to start and join new teams in my career and believe the initial intake process is critical. First, Interim City Councilor will need to quickly catch themselves up on priorities and initiatives the council are working to achieve. After getting up to speed it will be Attachment 5, Page 3 of 4 crucial for the Interim City Councilor to meet individually with each councilor to get their perspective on what is working well, what is not working well, and what do they think the interim councilor could best assist with. Hopefully after the initial intake process is completed there would be evident areas or challenges that the Interim City Councilor would be able to provide value-added support and assistance to achieve the councils collective goal(s). Attachment 5, Page 4 of 4