MEMORANDUM 07-19

TO: Mayor Hornaday and Homer City Council

FROM: Walt Wrede

DATE: February 6, 2007

SUBJECT: Appointment of Jo Johnson as City Clerk

Mary Calhoun submitted her letter of resignation on Monday, February 5^th, 2007. Mary’s resignation was effective immediately. She stated that she was resigning for personal reasons. Mary planned to retire in September or October of this year and decided that she wished to leave a few months early. The City is very fortunate that Mary did an excellent job training Jo Johnson and Melissa Jacobsen and preparing them both to assume more responsibility.

I am writing to inform the City Council that it is my intent to promote Jo Johnson to the position of City Clerk. Section 1.30.010 of the Homer City Code states that the City Clerk shall be appointed by the City Manager and confirmed by the City Council. I believe that confirmation is particularly important for this position since the City Clerk has such a direct and close working relationship with the Mayor and Council.

Jo Johnson was hired and began her tenure in the Homer City Clerk’s office in 2003. Prior to her employment with the City, she worked as a Court Clerk in the Alaska Court System for nine years and as a Courtroom Clerk in the California Court System for five years. On January 31, 2007, Jo was awarded the International Institute of Municipal Clerks designation of Certified Municipal Clerk. Her work in the Clerk’s office has been consistently exemplary in all areas.

I believe that Jo has done an excellent job in her position as Deputy Clerk II and that she will be a fine City Clerk. Her experience and skills are a real asset and the City is very lucky to have her available to call upon to fill this position. If Jo is confirmed, it is her intent to promote Melissa Jacobsen to the position of Deputy Clerk II and to advertise for the vacant Deputy Clerk I position. This has my full support.

RECOMMENDATION: Confirm Jo Johnson as the new City Clerk