MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS'
SPECIAL MEETING
LANSING BOARD OF WATER AND LIGHT
_________________________
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
___________________________
The Board of Commissioners met in a Special Meeting in the Boardroom of the Administrative Offices, 1232 Haco Drive, Lansing, Michigan.
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Present: |
Commissioners Ronald C. Callen, Nancy W. Duncan, Tim Haggart, Ifield P. Joseph (arrived at 5:50 p.m.), Connie Marin, Diane R. Royal, Robin M. Smith, and Nancy A. Wonch. |
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Absent: |
None. |
The Secretary declared a quorum present.
Chair Callen called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
All said the pledge of allegiance
PUBLIC COMMENTS
THE CHAIR ANNOUNCED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ON THE SUBJECT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
Curt Gates, Business Manager of Local 352 of IBEW, commended the Commissioners and Executive Search Team for the thorough and open executive search process. He thanked the Board for involving employees by seeking their input and for the opportunity to participate.
Chair Callen acknowledged Mr. Gates’ comments and also thanked the employees for their involvement and contributions.
SELECTION OF TOP CHOICE FOR
DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER
The search consultant, Charles Blockett of Charles Blockett and Associates, explained the process in narrowing the five candidates to the top choice to become the Board of Water and Light’s new Director and General Manager. The candidate who appeared on every list would automatically be selected as #1 or #2, as the case may be. Mr. Blockett indicated he would then arrange the candidate #1 list and candidate #2 in descending order from maximum to minimum occurrences and start discussion on the candidates.
He asked each Commissioner to call the names of his/her candidate #1 and candidate #2.
Sanford B. Novick received a
unanimous vote.
(Commissioners
Callen, Duncan, Haggart, Joseph, Marin, Royal, Smith, Wonch: 8)
Robert J. Sprowls received 7
votes and was declared the #2 candidate.
(For Mr. Sprowls: Commissioners
Callen, Duncan, Haggart, Joseph, Royal, Smith, Wonch: 7)
(For James P. Wiley: Commissioner
Marin: 1)
Discussion:
In selecting Mr. Novick, the Commissioners cited the senior positions
he held both in the public and private sector of the utility industry. Mr. Novick’s financial and operational
experience was pointed out as a great strength along with his communications
skills and personal warmth.
The Commissioners referred to Mr. Sprowls’ wealth of financial
experience, his knowledge of the utility industry, leadership skills, integrity
and honesty as the basis for selecting him their #2 choice.
Commissioner Marin concurred with the comments made regarding Mr.
Sprowls, but noted that her only concern was his limited experience in dealing
with unions.
Moved by Commissioner
Wonch, seconded by Commissioner Duncan, on the approval of the following
resolution:
FORMATION OF a Board Committee to Negotiate an Employment Contract
for the New General Manager
RESOLVED, That the Board hereby appoints the Executive Committee consisting of the following Commissioners to negotiate an Employment Agreement with Mr. Sanford B. Novick:
Ron Callen, Chair
Diane Royal, Vice Chair
Nancy Duncan, Chair Pro Tem
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the committee update the full Board on its progress periodically and submit the final agreement to the Board for approval.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That if the committee fails to negotiate a mutually beneficial employment agreement and corresponding first year goals and objectives with Mr. Sanford B. Novick within four weeks, then the committee is to inform the Board of such failure and commence negotiations with Mr. Robert J. Sprowls.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That if the committee fails to negotiate a mutually beneficial employment agreement and the corresponding first year goals and objectives with Mr. Sanford B. Novick within four weeks, then the committee shall call for a Special Board Meeting to discuss the situation.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the committee utilize the Executive Search Team in its negotiation of the employment agreement.
Action: Carried unanimously.
The Commissioners all expressed their appreciation to the employees for their input, assistance, and participation in the search process.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
THE CHAIR ANNOUNCED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ON ANY BOARD OF WATER AND LIGHT SUBJECT.
BWL employee, Wendy Bradley, Human Resources Employment/Compensation Administrator, stated that as a member of the Employee/Retiree’ Committee, she concurs with the Board’s selections.
EXCUSED ABSENCE
None.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Commissioner
Royal, seconded by Commissioner Wonch, the meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
/s/ Mary E. Sova, Secretary
Filed with Lansing City Clerk
June 12, 2003