08/21/2007 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
August 21, 2007
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First
Street, on August 21, 2007. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on
August 15, 2007.
Mayor Margaret Hornady called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following
Councilmembers were present: Meyer, Niemann, Whitesides, Gilbert, Carney, Gericke,
Nickerson, Haase, and Brown. Councilmember Zapata was absent. The following City Officials
were present: Interim City Administrator/City Attorney Dale Shotkoski, City Clerk RaNae
Edwards, and Human Resources Director Brenda Sutherland. Also present was Oscar Erives and
Lisa Heineman of the Mayor's Citizens Committee.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was said.
MAYOR COI~~IlVIiINICATION: Mayor Hornady commented on the Grand Island Little Theatre
event "Rave On" to be held Friday, August 24, 2007 and Saturday, August 25, 2007 at College
Park. Also mentioned was the "Goodwill Charity Shoot" to be held at the Heartland Public
Shooting Park on Saturday, August 25, 2007.
PUBLIC INTERVIEW WITH JEFF PEDERSON: Human Resources Director Brenda
Sutherland, Councilmembers, and the Citizens Committee asked questions to better understand
the candidate for the position of City Administrator. Introduced was Jeff Pederson from Dodge
City, Kansas. Mr. Pederson answered questions concerning his desire to come to Grand Island
and his experience in City Government.
Mr. Pederson commented on his past experience with electric utilities, union negotiations,
diverse ethnic groups and many different projects. Empathy and desire were mentioned as his
strong abilities. He stated communication and open government was important.
Councilmember Zapata was present at 7:10 p.m.
Mr. Pederson stated he has had a lot of experience with municipal utilities. His style of
management was open, accessible and he was open-minded. He manages his staff by fostering an
identity to promote the value and understanding of what they are doing.
Mr. Pederson stated he wanted to move to Grand Island because it felt like home. He sees
himself as City Administrator of Grand Island in five years. The three words that best described
him were capable, problem solver, and someone who was willing to help people. He stated he
likes to help people and make himself available to those in need
Page 2, City Council Special Muting, August 21, 2007
Mr. Pederson stated he has a strong code of ethics that he follows. He has an open door policy
and would get out in the community to meet the citizens and employees of the City. Traits that
were important to him were credibility, integrity, honesty, empathy, impartiality, dedication, and
accountability.
Mr. Pederson stated it would be his goal to make this organization as good as it could be. He
would work with the employees to help make things happen and give them the tools to do their
job. He stated it was important that the citizens be informed.
Mr. Pederson stated Grand Island should hire him for two reasons: 1) he wants to be here and Z)
he has the background that fits well with Grand Island. He wants to be a part of a growing and
vibrant community like Grand Island.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 a.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk