by Nikki Knisley
St. Joseph City Administrator Therese Haffner submitted her resignation to the city council, triggering a special session on Sept. 19 at the government center.
All members of the council save Jonathon Hazen were present, including St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz. Haffner and City Clerk Kayla Klein also attended.
The “next steps” listed on the meeting agenda were staff identification of immediate tasks that need to be transferred to existing staff, hiring an interim administrator then preparing for and successfully executing the search for a permanent city administrator.
A task highlighted for immediate attention was upcoming union negotiations. Haffner’s recommendation was to have Finance Director Lori Bartlett undertake those talks.
City staff recommended hiring a retired, experienced administrator/manager/finance director/community development director for the interim position. This serves two purposes. The work of the city can continue with limited interruptions to service. Also, it would give the city the amount of time necessary to conduct a thorough search for the next permanent city administrator.
Haffner inquired about possible consulting firms to assist with the permanent candidate search. Among them are Charlene Stevens of GovHR who worked with the City of Becker, and Anita Archambeau with AME Solutions & Strategies. Councilman Bob Loso indicated his satisfaction with this recommendation as past searches conducted by the council have proved “challenging.”
A city employee for more than six years, the last two as city administrator, Haffner explained an unexpected career opportunity arose, and she decided to accept it.
The city council adopted all recommendations in the agenda with further discussion of the details slated for another session. At the regularly scheduled city council meeting that same evening, the council voted to accept Haffner’s resignation.
