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SEBASTLAN
HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 — 5:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
Mayor Jones called the Special City Council meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. A moment of silence was held.
3. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
4. ROLL CALL
Mayor Fred Jones
Vice Mayor Chris Nunn
Council Member Ed Dodd
Council Member Bob McPartlan
Members Absent
Council Member Kelly Dixon (excused)
StaffPresent
City Manager Paul Carlisle
Interim City Attorney Andrew Mai
City Clerk Jeanette Williams
5. SPECIAL MEETING ITEM
A. Discuss Interim Citv Manager
Council Member Dodd started the discussions by making a MOTION of setting the
salary for the interim city manager at $125,000 a year with the same benefits as all other
exempt employees that was SECONDED by Council Member McPartlan.
Vice Mayor Nunn asked why the amount was so low when he will be working very hard
with far more responsibility. Council Member Dodd said the pay range starts at $140,000
and the amount was a substantial increase to any of the current department head salaries.
Council Member McPartlan advised that in state government, when someone is moved
up into an acting position it is typically 10% over what they are making.
Special City Council Meeting
May 17, 2023
Page 2
Roll call: Vice Mayor Nunn - aye
Council Member Dodd - aye
Council Member McPartlan - aye
Mayor Jones - aye
Council Member Dixon - absent
Motion carried. 4-0
MOTION by Council Member Dodd and SECOND by Vice Mayor Nunn to offer the
interim city manager's position to Brian Benton.
Council Member McPartlan said they should consider how long the interim position will
be and how they will be advertising. He said he has spoken to Kurt Bressner with the
International City County Management Association Range Rider Program and Ken
Parker, their Senior Advisory Coordinator. This program is free to talk about which
direction the City would want to go and could help out should the interim city manager
falter, although that won't be the case. He said there was concern about the person being
overwhelmed but he has spoken to Brian and staff who feel Brian's communications
skills are well enough to be the interim manager.
Council Member Dodd said Brian is well liked by staff, has a good head on his shoulders
and he anticipated a 3-4 month window of time for him to be the interim and at that point,
they might consider him for the position.
Council Member McPartlan asked if Council Member Dodd was considering asking
Brian first. Council Member Dodd suggested that would be up to Council.
Vice Mayor Nunn suggested they propose a six month probationary period as the interim
city manager and if Brian is doing a good job, they could make a decision to give it to
him or go out for a search.
Mayor Jones said he supported Brian and noted that over the last year, in addition to his
Leisure Services Director duties, Brian has also taken on the Public Facilities, Cemetery
and Airport Maintenance, and Veterans Council responsibilities.
The Interim City Attorney asked Council Member Dodd to amend the motion to make it
effective June 10''. Mayor Jones asked that it be effective tonight so he could be
mentored by the City Manager. The Interim City Attorney advised that they couldn't
have two managers as Charter Officers so they may consider directing the City Manager
to provide mentoring services prior to Brian becoming interim on June 106'.
Vice Mayor Nunn asked if Brian could be paid at the interim city manager salary now.
The Interim City Attorney said the pay could start immediately.
Council Member Dodd and Vice Mayor Nunn WITHDREW their motion to make the
following motion:
Special City Council Meeting
May 17, 2023
Page 3
MOTION by Council Member Dodd and SECOND by Council Member McPartlan to
offer the job of interim city manager to Brian Benton to take effect at 5:00 p.m. on June
9'b and authorize the pay increase to start tonight.
The Interim City Attorney asked if they would still like to consider the recruitment
service at the next meeting. The City Manager said that was not an agenda item for
tonight, he would put it on the next agenda and have Council vote to remove the item
from the agenda.
Mayor Jones asked if they had to add a time frame for the interim position. The Interim
City Attorney said they didn't have to set a time frame but if they wanted to provide
Brian the comfort of knowing he would have the job for six months, they could add it to
their motion.
Council Member Dodd and Council Member McPartlan WITHDREW their motion.
Council Member McPartlan asked that Brian Benton have signatory responsibility for the
City if the City Manager wasn't here, as well as starting June 9"' at 5:00 p.m.
The Interim City Attorney said Brian would take over on June 9`b at 5 p.m. but prior to
that Paul Carlisle would be the City Manager and if he was not available, he could
appoint someone to take his place pursuant to the Charter during that time frame.
Council Member McPartlan confirmed that Paul Carlisle would have to make a
declaration that Brian or another officer has signatory responsibility during the time he
would be unavailable. The Interim City Attorney responded that was correct.
MOTION by Council Member Dodd and SECOND by Vice Mayor Nunn to offer Mr.
Brian Benton the position of interim City Manager upon his acceptance, effective June 9'b
at 5 pm for a period of six months.
Roll call: Council Member Dodd - aye
Council Member McPartlan - aye
Mayor Jones - aye
Vice Mayor Nunn - aye
Council Member Dixon - absent
Motion carried. 4-0
Council Member Dodd asked if they should direct the City Manager to produce a letter
appointing Brian Benton as his second in case he is incapacitated or out of the office.
The Interim City Attorney stated it would be at the City Manager's discretion as to who
he appoints.
6. Being no further business, Mayor Jones adjourned the Special Meeting at 5:20 p.m.
Approved at the June 14'h Regular City Council meeting.
Mayor Fred Jones
ATTEST: -
4Nt.Yr)
J anette Williams