Robert Harris III turns toward the camera and smiles during the interview process last Tuesday night.

The Winnebago City Council met for a special meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 5:30 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting was direct, if not easy: to review recommended finalists for the vacant city administrator position.

After much discussion, the City Council passed a motion to offer the position to Robert Harris III, a current resident of Albert Lea.

Winnebago’s previous city administrator, Jacob Skluzacek, accepted a city planning position in Elko New Market last January.

Since Skluzacek’s departure on Jan. 20, deputy city clerk Judi Hynes has been serving as Winnebago’s interim city administrator and has absorbed many of Skluzacek’s duties.

After conducting preliminary interviews, Winnebago’s Personnel Committee, which consists of mayor Scott Robertson and City Council member Jean Anderson, recommended Hynes and Harris as finalists for the city administrator position.

Hynes, a lifelong resident of Winnebago, has served as the city’s deputy clerk since November of 2020.

Harris is originally from Chicago, but has lived in Minnesota for the past decade. He has occupied several positions related to economic development and sustainability since then, first serving the Twin Cities area and later the Southern Minnesota area as a whole.

Hynes was interviewed by the council first. The council members’ questions focused upon employee management and goals for the city of Winnebago.

Hynes said she prefers a hands-off management strategy.

“I’m not a micromanager,” Hynes told the council. “Employees know what they need to do.”

She also advocated for communication amongst employees and between city staff and the council.

“We need to be mutually supportive of each other,” she reasoned.

Hynes suggested she would invest her time as city administrator in implementing several plans which are already in place for the city of Winnebago.

Hynes referenced plans which have been set in motion by the Winnebago Economic Development Authority (EDA) board to jumpstart the demolition of the SuperValu building and development of area housing.

“We do have a plan,” she said, “a constantly evolving plan.” 

Hynes also suggested she would make use of a capital improvement plan which the city commissioned recently.

“In 2019 we hired Abdo (Financial Solutions) to come up with a five-year plan,” Hynes said. “That five-year plan is a capital investment plan along with a utility study.” 

Anderson asked Hynes what motivated her to apply for the position.

“I do want this job,” Hynes replied. “I live here. I’m invested in the community.” 

City Council member Paul Eisenmenger also inquired what Hynes’s plans would be were she not offered the city administrator position.

“I would be deputy city clerk,” Hynes replied.

“I know I have a lot of things to learn, but I’m not afraid to learn things,” Hynes concluded. “That’s why I’m sitting here.” 

Following Hynes’s interview, the council interviewed Harris. They asked him the same questions which they asked Hynes.

When asked what he expects of employees, Harris replied, “I expect staff to be engaged and community-focused. You can expect me to be their lead problem-solver, and help them do their job more effectively.” 

Harris added he would seek a partnership with the Winnebago City Council.

“I’m looking to get some big projects done,” he shared. 

Meanwhile, Harris identified community immersion and strategy development as his primary preliminary goals should he be awarded the position.

“I’d look to do a series of strategic planning sessions with the public,” Harris said. “I would look to engage different groups that already exist in town.” 

Harris reasoned he would use a similar approach in developing a capital improvement plan for the city.

“I take community involvement very seriously,” Harris noted, adding he would relocate to Winnebago to increase his own personal involvement within the city.

“I’ve been thinking for a while of making that shift into administration,” Harris concluded. “I wanted to get enough experience under my belt before making that shift. Now I’m feeling prepared, and I don’t want to leave Southern Minnesota. The timing of this position seems right.” 

After conducting interviews, the Winnebago City Council discussed their impressions.

“I find Robert (Harris)’s resumé to be very impressive,” said City Council member Calvin Howard. “He has grant writing experience, and all the different committees he has sat on make him more than qualified to fill the position.”

However, Howard expressed concern regarding whether Harris would stay for a long period of time.

He added, “On the flip side, Judi (Hynes) is already doing the job. We know she’s not going anywhere.”

Eisenmenger agreed.

“Judi (Hynes) has been here her whole life, which I think is huge,” he said. “But, I do like the idea of having new ideas (from Harris).” 

“We have two excellent candidates,” Anderson noted. “Robert has had extensive experience, he would bring new ideas to the community, and he probably has connections.” 

Anderson continued, “Judi (Hynes) is already doing the job, and we want someone who is enthusiastic about their town.”

This concluded the council’s observations, as council member Tim Hynes, Judi Hynes’s husband, was absent from the meeting due to conflict of interest.

Robertson shared his thoughts, however. “We know what we’re getting with Judi (Hynes),” he said. “She could have stayed as deputy clerk, but she chose to better herself and her city.” 

After further discussion, Eisenmenger put forward a motion to offer the city administrator position to Hynes, which was not seconded.

Howard then made a motion to offer the position to Harris, which was seconded by Anderson.

Howard’s motion carried, with two supporting votes from Howard and Anderson and one opposing vote from Eisenmenger.

City attorney David Frundt intends to aid the council in drawing up a contract to offer Harris, at which point he may review the terms and potentially accept the position.