It's muted. I just don't want that happening again. >> All right. Uh we'll start now being 5:45 Tuesday, July 28th. I now call a meeting of the Appointments Committee of the Garden City Council to order. Clerk, please do a roll call. >> Councilor Eads.
>> Present. >> Councilor Hayton. >> Present. >> Councilor Brennan-Jones. >> Present. >> All right. Um Reading of minutes of prior meetings, there are none. First item on the agenda, item 11670.
A measure [clears throat] confirming the mayor's appointment of Robert O'Keefe to the position of Information Technology Director for the term expiring 8/22 2020. Report from the mayor. >> Mr. Chairman. I'd like to request leave to withdraw this item. >> Um make a motion to withdraw the item
from the calendar. >> Second. >> Uh motion to withdraw item 11670 from the calendar. Um Is there any discussion? >> [clears throat] >> All those in favor, say aye. >> Aye.
>> All those against, say nay. Motion passed. Item 11756, a measure confirming the mayor's appointment of Dennis Hash to the position of Plumbing and Gas Inspector for the term expiring 7/3 2020. A report from the mayor. >> Thank you very very much, Mr. Chairman.
And Inspector Hash is here with us as well. I've been very happy with Inspector Hash's work and his time here with the city over the last year. I've been very impressed with his knowledge of his field, having been someone who's also had to come talk to him about
issues with plumbing situations that I've had to deal with or dealing with the stuff that we have to deal with right in our own city buildings. Uh he's very knowledgeable in the plumbing code. He is someone who used to own his own plumbing company, uh which makes it so that he fully understands both sides of the permit uh with the um construction
side of it and the enforcement side of it and making sure you can work with people uh to get to where they need to be and uh you know not just dictate, but explain. And I think that that's the biggest thing that I get from Dennis is that he's a teacher in the end and that he just teaches people what needs to be done and the why
behind why it needs to be done that way. And the interactions I've seen with him and that's the feedback that I've received from other people as well, too. Um you know, he he came with the recommendation of our previous building commissioner, uh Melissa McDonald. He comes now again with the recommendation of our interim building commissioner.
Uh and I think uh he does a lot of great work here for the city and we're happy to put him forward for a full-term. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Mr. Ash, we'd like to uh like the public know. That's the camera right there. We'd like the public to introduce yourself to us. >> Yeah. My name is Dennis Ash. Uh
I've been currently employed here for almost a year. Started as the alternate. Replaced Jimmy Imprescia, who I've known my whole plumbing career. Great guy. First time doing the inspection side. Really enjoy it.
I love working for the city of Gardner. Had a great time dealing with Mike. Even the little changes we've had in the building department. Um I really enjoy working here. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Councilor Eggleston, any other questions, comments?
>> Thank you. Uh nice to meet you, Dennis. Nice to see you and have you here today. Thanks for joining us. Uh you I think you touched on most of it, but I was simply going to ask really just how's your experience been so far? Is there anything you want to highlight from the department? Things that are working, not working? >> Um I mean, it's like anything. I mean,
there's always room room to grow. Um personally, I'd like to see uh we'll slowing down on the change of employees, but that goes with any business. Um >> [clears throat] >> doesn't bother me. Uh Uh I've made it clear to um the previous building commissioner,
the current building commissioner, uh and with Mike, I have no plans to go anywhere unless I'm not wanted or needed. Um >> [clears throat] >> this was a early retirement job. Um I know I got a good 10 12 years left in me. Um
I'd like to continue doing the inspectional side of it. I love dealing with the residents. I think uh I've worked well with the contractors, home owners, and Gardner. They really like the fact that um we have a full-time plumbing inspector now, not just somebody here for a few hours a
week. Um [clears throat] I'm here to answer calls uh because I'm here full-time. Uh I offer or what I've offered to some residents as a courtesy, since I'm here, I offer a courtesy inspection. If they have an issue with something and they're
not quite sure where to go, if I get the call, I've I'll fit it in my schedule, I'll swing by. I'm kind of help them assist them that way. It's I've had a great feedback on that. Stuff that I've learned over 38 years being in in the trades. I've been self-employed
since '99. Um Something I've wished other inspectors did, so I've kind of picked from other inspectors, took what I liked, threw away what I didn't like, kind of brought that to the table, and it seems to really be making a
difference here in Gardner. I try to bring that to the other inspectors as well. You know, the easier we make the building department accessible to our residents, to the contractors, the more permits they pull. You know, no more you'll have a little less of
moonlighting. If somebody's afraid of the building department, they just won't pull permits. And now we know what we have no idea what's going on. So, making myself more available, trying to make it easier for everybody the best that we can. It seems to have made a big
impact in a short amount of time. >> Thank you so much. They're great. Appreciate the information. >> That's fine. >> Thank you. >> Council, because I'm discussing the questions, comments. >> Um, you covered most of it, as did Council Highland and the mayor. Um, so I appreciate that. I think, um, if there's
anyone watching, the, um, courtesy call and an appointment, I think you're going to get really busy. >> [laughter] >> Thanks. >> Um, but I I do appreciate that. I think one of the things that's really important is when you've been, um, as the mayor had said, on the other side of the table, and so you bring all of those
years, um, as a contractor and, you know, working in, um, with other contractors and construction and those kinds of things, you understand with the people calling in for those big jobs, which is, you know, important to the city, but also was important to their livelihood, um, that, um, you understand their side of
things, so you're able to, um, assist them as well as do your job for the city. Um, so, you know, to me, that's the type of person that you want in this kind of position, and we really appreciate it. I hope that >> Thank you. >> finish out the rest of your career here, if it keeps going the way it is. Um, and it's nice to meet you in person.
Um, and, uh, thank you again for all the info. Um, I'll be supporting the public works >> They've said it all. I I just wanted to go ahead and say thank you for your, um, commitment. Um, I would have never thought you were at the age of, um, retirement. So,
>> [laughter] >> I don't know what's going on in the water out here in Gardena, but we're all looking pretty good for our age. Um, so, um, with that being said, uh, if there's no if there's no, um, disagreement, I would like to go ahead
and waive rule 22 for the, uh, two reading two meeting rule, because if we went ahead and went to two meeting rule, it would be already to September. Um, so, with that being said, um, can I get a motion?
>> Um, >> to recommend the full council pending suspension of the rule. >> Second. >> Thank you, um uh motion made by Council Hickman to suspend rule 22. Uh seconded by Council Kuzneskis. Um all
those in favor say "Aye." >> Aye. >> Sorry, is there any discussion? >> The only discussion I have is that I uh support that. I think we have all the information that we need, and I'm glad that you brought that option forward in this case. I don't see this needing to stay
on the agenda for another month just because this is kind of the December time, so I appreciate that. >> Agreed. >> All right. All those in favor say "Aye." >> Aye. >> All those opposed say "Nay." Motion passed. Um All right, so with that being said,
I'll make a motion. Is there another motion on this? >> Nope, so that'll do. >> That's [clears throat] That's good. >> So, we'll recommend it to the full council pending suspension of the rule two, which we will do at the council meeting. >> Yeah, awesome. >> Thank you. >> It's a pleasure meeting everyone. >> Thank you, too. >> All right, in subcommittee,
item [clears throat] 11797, a measure approving the job description change of the city's human resources director. Um this item right here actually is um I guess we could say it goes with item 11798, a measure approving the job
description change for the city's youth center director. Uh there's no objection to put those two items together. And if there's a point from the mayor, please. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The uh changes to the youth center director's position
uh have been made and should be reflected in your packet that were proposed at a previous meeting, and I'm happy to answer any further questions on either the HR director or the youth uh director of youth services uh position.
>> Well, this My only question is Who's your favorite? Um is if So is it Is it cities youth center director or is it youth services director? >> Yeah, the It it is it would be the youth services director because it did pre when it was
submitted it that's when it was the youth center director and then it changed to show the expanded >> Right. >> Role, yes. >> Okay, so in that just as a note probably for the clerk to forward the item goes to the full council the item
still says cities youth center director so we'd want to just change it to services when it goes on the full council agenda. But that's the only note that I have I have have no questions about the description that's how it was updated with any further revisions that we discussed. Um so I have
I have nothing further on that. >> Nothing else for me, no. I liked it. I actually I'd reached out to the mayor and HR after our last meeting just to see if they captured all of the edits um and if they want a second set of eyes on it and they thought it looked good. Um adding the title updating the title of the pool facilities manager changing the
grade dates and all the other description edits we had suggested. So um I appreciate that work and I thought it looked good to me, too. >> Thank you. So with that I'll make a motion um to um to recommend that we approve
the job description for 11797 and 11798 to the full council. Second. >> All right, motion [clears throat] made by council member Kuszewski to approve the job description and to send it to the full council. Um second >> I'd like to recommend >> to recommend to the full council. Uh
second by council member Hekman. Is there any discussion? Um all those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. Motion passes for 11797 and 11798. Um >> [clears throat]
>> Item 11839, a measure authorizing a job description for a new transfer station safety program development and compliance coordinator position for the Garden Grove Health Department. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This was uh codified recently in the compensation ordinance that was voted on by the
council, but this uh is the last step that's needed for us to uh be able to place someone into the position is creating the actual job descriptions to finalize the position is created. Uh but it just as I said last time, I do believe this is needed uh for the uh work being done at the transfer station to make sure we're
compliant with all OSHA regulations. >> Any questions or comments? >> Nothing for me. It looks good. I I looked at the last meeting. I think we've already acted on parts of this from the Finance Committee and the full council anyway, so we're just kind of finalizing the job description. I think it's pretty good myself.
>> So, I think this is the last leg, right? This is kind of the last piece of that. We've established the position, the need, everything. And I think this is the only way to get it done. And I think you said everything it needs to be for OSHA for a position like this. So, um I found nothing in that with my knowledge of what this might description
might have to be. I found nothing that needed to be changed, so. Um I will motion to approve this to the full council, so. >> Um you know, well, the only thing I had to go ahead and say was um I was just happy that it didn't come with a cost,
but that's a finance thing. Um so, I was just, you know, I'll just say that for the record. That's the only really thing I see there. Obviously, for compliance, this is great. And um thank you to the uh um uh Ms. Sanders for um presenting this.
>> I'll move to recommend to the full council that measure be adopted. Thank you. >> All right, motion made by Councillor Hatling um for the measure to be adopted by the full council, seconded by Councillor Kenserskis. All right, is there any
discussion? All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. Motion passed. >> [clears throat] >> Communications, resignations. >> Uh I've got two resignations and some updates on some hiring we're doing with the chair uh a couple resignations
actually. Uh first of all, uh building commissioner Melissa McDonald uh has completed her time with the city. She did move on to a different municipality uh as an assistant building commissioner. Um she the role is currently being filled right now on an interim basis by interim building commissioner Roland
Jean while the position is still open and we are still accepting applicants for the position. Uh he is helping cover the office with the work that needs to be done. Uh so he is covering >> He has a uh 60-day temporary appointment as an interim, which is the maximum allowed under the city code. Um Lieutenant Eric Hewlett from the
Garden City Fire Department is retiring effective on Monday. Uh so his retirement date is there. Uh because he is a lieutenant and in the civil service position, uh the chief has called for the civil service list uh for lieutenants uh and firefighters. So once that list is obtained, we'll go through
the civil service hiring process to fill that role that's there. Uh and then city conservation and planning agent Justin Enright uh is going back for his master's degree. Uh so he left his employment with the city to return to his education uh and the position is currently posted
and accepting applicants for them. Uh in terms of new hires that we have, there are two police officers that'll be graduating from the Massachusetts Police Academy this coming Monday. Uh so we'll have them uh begin their field training shortly. How uh we handle that is uh they receive their 90-day temporary
appointments, which again is the maximum allowed under city code. Once they graduate from the police academy, while they begin their field training where they shadow an officer for those 90 days, uh and after those 90 days, their full permanent appointments will come before the council uh if they clear their everything they need to do during their probationary period during those
90 days. And we are in the process right now of uh going through the uh hiring process for four firefighters. Uh they're going through the pre-employment physical and um both the physical in terms of the medical physical and the physical
aptitude test uh in order to determine their eligibility for the Massachusetts fire academy. And that is the updates for today. >> That's a lot. >> So, the um I just wanted to say for the um for Justin Albright um leaving, he did also attend an economic development
committee meeting and he um told us that he enjoyed his time with the city and um he was sad not to be going, but he wanted to pursue his master's degree and um it was um he was here with Director Stevens as well from the department. It was a um
kind of he wanted to be sure that he um spoke about one of the projects that um he was finishing up on. So, uh we wish him well, for sure. >> [clears throat] >> Once he's confirmed in the council, um there's a there's a list of um
individuals that have been confirmed, but they all have not been um administered, so um we're just going to go ahead and get them in um and get that done and try to get them in to go ahead and uh do their oath and um make them
certified. Once Once these oaths administered, uh we have these three right here. Um Ms. Concannon, Mr. Kelly, and Ms. Botnick, they have all taken the oath, so they're all set.
So, we can clear them off. Other than that, upcoming meetings is The next meeting isn't till Tuesday, August 11th. Um in which I think we have some more appointments. >> Yes. >> I was going to say eight new appointments. Okay. >> Are there going to be new appointments? >> [snorts]
>> Uh some are reappointments, but the majority >> of them are new appointments. So, I thought So, we I think we're caught up. Maybe this is the right time to talk about this, but I think we're caught up on appointments that um were kind of within the 60-day to 90-day like that kind of thing. So, there's new
appointments and now there's reappointments that are just on schedule. Is that >> That's what they Yeah, that's correct. >> Okay, great. Okay. >> Except for the um we have the one gentleman that we just ordered that we have to go ahead and get that >> Mr. Kelly. >> Yes. Okay. Yes. >> And then
>> She is on your list for them. >> He is on the list. >> All right, awesome. Um and then um the Tuesday, August 11th meeting, I cannot attend that meeting, but I know that I told you that would be our original schedule, so I just wanted to make sure that we have a quorum and that we have to make it here. >> I'll probably still be able to have the meeting. >> Definitely.
>> Thank you. Other than that, I um would like to entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion made by Councilwoman Higgins, second by Councilwoman Concannon. Uh All those in favor Well, is there any discussion? >> No.
>> I didn't think so. All those in favor, say aye. >> Aye. >> All those opposed, say no. Motion passed. We stand adjourned.