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VILLAGE -
MANAGERS #5
`Truly A Fabulous Community'
... Village Manager Lawrence Robbins views North Palm Beach
Village Manager Happy
At Budget Deadline Time
By BILL CHARNLEY
Herald Staff Writer
NORTH PALM BEACH — It's budget
deadline time, and Larry Robbins, new vil-
lage manager, couldn't be happier.
"I can't think of a better way to .become
thoroughly knowledgeable about the econom-
ic health and philosophy of a community in
the shortest possible time," he said, riffling a
three-inch 'thick packet of departmental
reports.
Since taking over the post July 17, Rob-
bins has been deeply immersed in the budget,
Which will presented to the village council
Sept. 1.
And he has attended dozens of committee
meetings during the evenings after his 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. working day,
"I'm a great believer in board and com-
mittee meetings," he said. "From them, you
get the real pulse of the community."
Michigan born, Robbins received a bach-
elors degree in business administration at
Michigan State University before moving to
Florida 11 years ago with his wife, Janice,
and their five children.
His entire career has been one of public
service, and government.
"Municipal ,government is service to peo-
ple, the residents, and it is that aspect which
makes it interesting, challenging," he said,
explaining his philosophy.
"In municipal work there is great satis-
faction in getting things done, doing things
for other people," he added.
It is obvious that he has been successful
in implementing that philosophy. For the
three years prior to his move here he had
managed the municipal affairs of Palm Bay,
whose councilmen thought so .highly of his
workthat they recently read a resolution of
glowing tributes for him into their minutes,
then sent a copy to him here.
Gzing out the window of his office in the
village hall, Robbins said, "This is truly a
fabulous community. The residents are vital-
ly community minded, active and interested.
"And they have an impressive and well
rounded set of activities for everyone, chil-
dren and adults alike . t . a cultural art cen-
ter, ballet school, senior citizens center,
beautification committee and a municipal
golf and country club."
Admitting that he "likes golf, but haven't
had time to play for many years," he pre-
dicted that it would eventually be "one of
our activities here.
"This is the first time we have lived in
the tropical portion of Florida, and we are
looking forward to enjoying it thoroughly, he
said.
-S
Profile: Larry Robbins
NP Beach Manager `Unique'
Larry Robbins, manager of
the Village of North Palm
Beach, is unique in modern
city govemment.
Robbins is unique, first,
because he has been manager
of North Palm Beach five and
one 'half years. He's been there
longer than any other manager
has remained with a
municipality or city in Palm
Beach County.
Most city managers "grow
out" of their towns quickly,
moving on to bigger cities —or
they develop rifts with their
city councils, causing their
moves to be hastened.
Larry Robbins is in no hurry
to move anywhere.
"No," he says, with definite
feeling, "I don't want to go
anywhere else. . .I'd like to
stay in city management and
I'd like to stay right here. .
.this is the greatest community
in the country."
Nor has Larry Robbins ever
been in serious disagreement
with city council. The
councilmen, and the people
they represent, just don't kick
about the kind of city
management that has created a
surplus in the Village treasury
every year since Robbins took
the job —and caused taxes to be
lowered last year.
"Oh, the councilmen have
all been wonderful people,"
Robbins says, "They're easy to
work with. Highly
cooperative."
Second, Larry Robbins is
unique in that, as he puts it,
"he's a city manager by
experience, not by formal
education."
Unlike most city managers
now, Robbins did not study.
Public Administration in
college to become a manager.
He's much older (50) than
he looks, it seems, and they
didn't even have Public
Administration courses when
he took his BA at Michigan
State.
He started, infact, with a
career in the electro•
mechanical field in his home
state of Michigan.
"Having journeyed to
Florida several times with an
electro-mechanical firm, 1
finally asked myself, 'Why wait
for retirement?' and came here
to stay 16 years ago," he
recalls, "My first job here was
in Iaw enforcement in Brevard
County. I stayed there four
years."
Robbins became noticed as a
lawman by the city manager
where he worked.
That manager suggested he
would make a good city
manager himself and,
accordingly, Robbins soon
went to work as a city clerk.
He worked his way up in city
administration until he reached
the North Palm Beach Village
manager's chair.
Now, Larry Robbins is one
of the busiest men around.
The manager of North Palm
Beach is responsible for
virtually the entire
administration of the
community. He's a purchasing
agent, a personnel director, a
budgeter, a consultant on
programs for the city council,
and supervisor of the total
operation of the community.
Some of the load may have
been taken off with the hiring
of a full time manager for the
Village Country Club. Robbins
was handling that job on top of
his regular duties until this
week.
But he's still a mighty busy
man. The phone on his desk
seems to never stop ringing and
there's nearly always someone
in his office.
But Larry Robbins likes it
that way.
"I definitely encourage
young people to get into city
management," he says, `I
personally find great
Continued on page 4
NORTH SEMI MCC 1-113AM71
NORTH PALM BEACH COU IL MEETING
Counciifavors evaluation
vi.,� ge mamanager's
by Ives Cary
M the workshop session of the Norio Palm Beach Council Mayor Valente said, We can't anymore,
es Ike Ilth, a conretnus favored 13Ding forward with format He added that he wanted the forms prepared without
era:ttstioas of the viltge manager's performance. it loans participation by anyone who alight he under the manager's
CCraig Mundt`s suggestion, authority and added that he prefers to go in and talk with the
Councilman Dr. Ken Mays: asked whether the council had manager when he feels it is ncxcssary.
time dat before, He added that the ccmincit can only judge the individual
Actmg Manager Charlie Gracile, sitting in for Village performance of the manager, the clerk and the attorney_ All
Magpier Raymond J. Howland, said that it had been done in others are judged by the manager and he is jurlgcd by their
.97"_ He added that, every year, evaluation of all employees is performance,
Jaw as a matter of routine routine_ lacy supervisory employees Mr. Mundt referred to a form used iat West Palm Be.1rh, said
we scored am a more detailed form than that used for most that there the council members filled out the form individually
eampioF- and theft an outside firm collated the responses, He added that a
Councilman br. V, A. Marks said he was not for forms value of the form was that it might suggest items that one
'fig filled out, that he preferred discussing the m nagcr's wo,rlrttit think of in an oral conversation with the manager and
perfamance in executive session on a set time basis. He said he it would be public record,
was not for adding up scores because it really divides people, *hi other action, at the regular council meeting the council
gm them into camps. "it is better to discuss any matter with transferred funds and
the manager at open meeting, keep it in house," r'Rncogniccd Ossie Wynn for 20 years of service at STPD
Councilman Judy Pierman said that she makes out Country Club,
evaluation reports all the time but doubted that such reports *Adopted the Standard Plumbing Code, 19135 Edition. as its
should be used since they would ltree orne public record and lose arrnonded Plumbing Code,
confidentiality. She said she doubted that the sunshine law *Adopted the county's annual contact bids to save time and
would permit executive session discussions of the manager's money on public works materials and services,
performance. *Ordered 4,000 boxes or polyethylene refuse hags at S6.49 per
Council agreed that its attorney should prepare a report on box ($25,960) from Bernie Co„ Inc.. Terre Haute, Ind., and
the application of the sunshine and public records laws. *Set a special meeting to discuss the law suit with the
Mayor Tom Valenteobserved that "the five of us cannot sit MacArthur Foundation over the right of way near Allemande
in a morn alone together". school, to follow a special meeting on Seacoast Utilities on
Dr. Marks said, 'We used to." Feb. 15.
EDITORIAL t o r2A-y S'
Grading System for
Village Manager would
be useless
At Thursday's workshop, the North Palm I3each 'i91age
Council began consideration of a plan 10 have the Council
snake formal evaluations of the performance of the Village
Manager. The Council has direct hiring authority for the
massager, the clerk and the attorney.
The manager is responsible for the performance of all
other employees. La keeping with good adrninistrati ve practice,
evaluations of most employees are made.
But the manager is not just another employee, and more
importantly, council members are not rtrrt of the mill
supervisors -- each iti an elected, co -equal representative of the
people. As such, they have authority for their respective terms
of office but cannot bind their successors anymore than can the
voters themselves. Being co -equal, one is limited in being able
to impose restraint on another's method of reaching decisions.
Whether a manager could have in his employment contract
a provision for evaluations is not here the question.
While one councilman may Find it useful to evaluate the
manager, others may not. Even if they did, evaluations are
more apt to cause conflict than to control any opinion
individual councilmen may have or decision they may make.
To be elected to the council, it is not necessary to have the
skill required property and fairly to fill out an eva]uadan form
NPR Councilman Craig
Mund is suggestion prompted
council members to pursue a
formal evaluation of village
in ng>t 's performance
I h Ives Cary �.r.
Ad - e'arm session of the North Palm %each Council
en the i_ a cusacuutaus favored gong forward with formal
e+taltraaie- of the vyilige manager's performance_ It was
Craig Ulundi s suggestion_
Councilman Dr. Ken Mays asked whether the council had
done that before..
Acting Manager Charlie O'ntelia, sitting in for Village
Manager Raymond J. Howland, said that it had been done. in
1977. He added that, every year, evaluation of all employees is
dune as a mauer of routine routine. Key supervisory employees
arc score,) on a more detailed formthan that used for most
Councilman 17r. V. A_ Markssaid he was riot for forms
hems Filled out, that he preferred discussing the manager's
performance n executive session on a set time basis. He said he
iris not for adding up sr -ores because it really divides people,
gets them into camps, 'It is better to discuss any matter with
she massager at open meeting, keep it in house."
Councilman Judy Picrman said that she makes out
evaluation reports all the time but doubted that such reports
should be used since they would become public record and lose
confidentiality. She said she doubted that the sunshine law
would permit executive session discussions of the manager's
performance,
Council agreed that its attorney should prepare a report on
the application of the sunshine and public records laws_
Mayor Tom Valente observed that 'the five of us cannot sit
in a room alone together".
Dr. Marks said, 'We used tn_"
EDITORIAL v./soak i.- lv
Grading System for
Village Manager would
be useless
At Thursday's workshop, the North Palm Beach Village
Council began consideration of a plan to have the Council
make fcjrmaJ evaluations of the performance of the Village
Manager, TheCouncil bas direct hiring authority for the
manager, the clerk and the attorney.
The manager is responsible for the performance of all
other employees_ In keeping with good administrative practice,
evaluations of most employees are made.
But the manager is not just another employee, and more
importantly, council members are not run of the mill
supervisors -- each is an elected, co=cslual representative of the
people_ As such, they have authority for their respective terms
of office but cannot bind their successors anymore than can the
voters themselves_ Being co -equal, one is limited in being able
to impose restraint on another's method of reaching decisions.
Whether a manager could have in his employment contract
a provision for evaluations is not here the question,
While one councilman may find it useful to evaluate the
manager, others may not Even if they did, evaluations are
more apt to cause conflict than to control any opinion
individual councilmen may have or decision they may make.,
To be elected to the council, it is not necessary to have the
;kill required properly and fairly to fill out an evaluation form,
Iu the hiring and firing of executives, a chain of
evaluations may be helpful on the next job but it may do a
disservice to the manager by misleading him_ For salary
increases and continued employment, each councilman is
elected to form and vote his individual opinion, however
arrived at.
The council should leave it that ways.
Mayor Valente said, 'We cast anymore."
He added that he wanted the forms prepared without
participation by anyone: who might be under the manager's
authority and added that he prefers to go in and talk with the
manager when he feels it is necessary.
He added that the council can only judge the individual
performance of the rttanager, the clerk and the attorney. All
others acrejudged by the manager and he is judged by Their
performance.
Mr. Mundt referred to a form used in VW'est Palm Beach. said
that there the council members filled out the form individually
and then an outside firm collated the responses. He added that a
value of the:.form was that it might suggest items that one
wouldn't think of in art oral conversation with the manager and
it would be public record_
*In other action, at the regular council meeting the council
transfurrad funds and
*Recognized Ossie Wynn for 20 years of service at NPR
Country Club.
*Adopted the Standard Plumbing Code, 1985 Edition,as its
amended Plumbing Cod,
*Adopted the cotmty's annual contact bids to save time and -
rnonny rni public works materials and services,
*Ordered 4,000 boxes of polyethylene refuse bags at $$.49 per
box (S25,960) from Bemis Co., Inc„ Terre Haute, Ind., and
*Set a special meeting to discuss the law stilt with the
MacArthur Foundation over the right of way near Allarnanda
school, to follow a special meeting on Seacoast Utilities on
Feb. 15.
NPB Councilman Craig
Mundts suggestion prompted
council members to pursue a
formal evaluation of village
roan er'.s perfor'maDCe
girth Palm
Ace:4*. 6oz
manager quits,
etes h
(a ^ ik?
y NORV ROGGEN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
NORTH PALM BEACH — Ray
Howland, village manager for
eight years, resigned Wednesday,
saying he needed relief from "some
of the stress."
His resignation is effective Feb.
"It was not an easy decision,"
id. "I decided I would take a
0ious look at retirement, but I
rriitt possibly consider another
.iGl ;The main thing is to get out of
fh 'gfress of city management."
Howland, 59, was seriously in-
- jured when he was hit by a car
while riding a bicycle in March
-1 87 He said health problems in-
fluenced his decision to leave the
.47,700-a-year job. Most of the ac-
-,iiiient injuries have healed, but he
1.a: the still has recurring pain
• ---the broken ankle.
• "Last week was the first time I
felt comfortable ' running," said
:'Howland, a former triathlete.
-° "I like North Palm Beach. It's a
• top-notch community," he said,
"But I get disturbed by some of the
thinking here. Some people can't
accept change."
y . ‘' - Some of Howland's current pro -
:leas involve renovating the vil-
lage -owned golf course and moving
the senior citizens building to make
room for expansion of Village Hall.
• Both have met with opposition.
• Mayor Craig Mundt said
Wednesday he was sorry to see
• Howland leave.
"He bore a lot of burdens, and
he never complained," Mundt said.
.. "He has done a great job for us."
Howland has been a municipal
manager for 21 years, coming here
from Horsehead, N.Y., in 1979 as
assistant manager. WheVillage
Manager Paul Nicoletti left in
1980, Howland replaced him.
One of Howland's first assign-
ments when he took over the job
was to pursue acquisition of Sea-
]: coast Utilities in cooperation with
Palen: Beach Gardens and Lake
Park. The deal did not materialize
then, but today Howland is a board
member of the Seacoast Utilities
Authority, a coalition that is trying
too acquire the water and sewer
utility.
1
T
1
C
60 apply for
North Palm
manager job
By NORV ROGGEN /1/
Paim Beach Post Staff Writer G1
NORTH' PALM BEACH — A
Haverhill town councilman and the
former Riviera Beach personnel
manager are among the 60 people
who have applied for the village
manager's job here.
Village Manager Ray Howland,
59, is retiring effective Feb. 22 and
applications for the job of running
this village of about 13,000 have
flowed in since the position was
advertised last month in the Inter-
national City Managers Associa-
tion's bulletin.
"I expect 100 applicants before
it's over," Howland said Tuesday.
One of the applicants is Richard
Jaeschle, a local management con-
sultant and Haverhill councilman.
Jaeschle cited his job, his council
experience since being elected in
1985 and his membership in the
Municipal League, as credentials
for the job.
E. James Jackson, who was
forced to resign Nov. 18 as Riviera
Beach's personnel director, also
has applied. Jackson left Riviera
Beach less than a month after the
City Council fired City Manager
Tony Crapp, who hired Jackson. He
had held the personnel job for only
five months.
Jackson previously was a pur-
chasing agent for the Broward
County school system and had
worked in labor relations manage-
ment in Detroit.
North Paim Beach Village Man-
ager Ray Howland, 59, is retir-
ing effective Feb. 22.
Most of the applicants for the
$47,000-a-year job are from out of
state. Other Florida applicants are
Kenneth Resor, town manager of
Melbourne Beach; Ralph Hester,
city manager of Lynn Haven; Den-
nis Kelly, former manager of Long-
boat Key; Ronald Ferris, director
of operations in Lantana, and Rich-
ard Barrett, deputy director of
housing for Jacksonville.
Howland said he and council
members will screen the appli-
cants and probably reduce the
number to about 15.
"Of those, the council will prob-
ably settle on five who will be
brought in for interviews," he said.
Howland came to North Palm
Beach as assistant manager in
1979. His retirement will bring to
an end his 21-year career in munic-
ipal management.
VTILLACT- -#6
MIAN.A r
Forth Palm manager hopefuls down to 3
60 apply for
North Palm
managerjob
By NORV ROGGEN �`;'' - 3,0
- ,
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
NORTH PALM BEACH — A
Haverhill town councilman and the
former Riviera Beach personnel
manager are among the 60 people
who have applied for the village
manager's job here.
Village Manager Ray Howland,
59, is retiring effective Feb. 22 and
applications for the job of running
this village of about 13,000 have
flowed in since the position was
advertised last month in the Inter-
national City Managers Associa-
tion's bulletin.
"I expect 100 applicants before
it's over," Howland said Tuesday.
One of the applicants is Richard
Jaeschle, a local management con-
sultant and Haverhill councilman.
Jaeschle cited his job, his council
experience since being elected in
1985 and his membership in the
Municipal League as credentials
for the job.
E. James Jackson, who was
forced to resign Nov. 18 as Riviera
Beach's personnel director, also
has applied. Jackson left Riviera
Beach less than a month after the
City Council fired City Manager
Tony Crapp, who hired Jackson. He
had held the personnel job for only
five months.
Jackson previously was a pur-
chasing agent for the Broward
County school system and had
worked in labor relations manage-
ment in Detroit.
North Palm Beach Village Man-
ager Ray Howland, 59, is retir-
ing effective Feb. 22.
Most of the applicants for the
$47,000-a-year job are from out of
state. Other Florida applicants are
Kenneth Resor, town manager of
Melbourne Beach; Ralph Hester,
city manager of Lynn Haven; Den-
nis Kelly, former manager of Long-
boat Key; Ronald Ferris, director
of operations in Lantana, and Rich-
ard Barrett, deputy directorof
housing for Jacksonville.
Howland said he and council
members will screen the appli-
cants and probably reduce the
number to about 15.
"Of those, the council will prob-
ably settle on five who will be
brought in for interviews," he said.
Howland came to North Palm
Beach as assistant manager in
1979. His retirement will bring to
an end his 21-year career in munic-
ipal management.
NORTH PALM BEACH — The Village Council has narrowed the
list of village manager candidates to three.
The three finalists, selected from 84 applicants, have been
interviewed in the last two weeks. They are Dennis Kelly, manager
of DeLand in Central Florida and former manager of Longboat Key
on Florida's west coast; Robert Barcinski, assistant city manager of
Delray Beach, and Curtis Shook, manager of Charlestown, R.I.
Village Manager Ray Howland, 59, plans to leave the $47,700-a-
year job Feb. 25. Howland, village manager for nine years, has said
he is retiring because of ill health.
The council might hire a new village manager at its meeting
tonight. Mayor Craig Mundt said the selection of a new manager has
been placed on the agenda, but he is uncertain whether council
members are ready to make a decision or want to interview
additional candidates.
The three finalists were interviewed separately by each council
member. The council members have not had a chance since the
interviews to discuss their preferences, Mundt said.
He said it would be advantageous if the new manager had
experience in Florida, but the goal is to find the best person for the
job.
couple of weeks."
Mundt said the council hopes
NORTH PALM BEACH — to have the new manager here
Village councilmen have nar- by the end of February.
rowed the field of 84 applicants
for village manager to eight,
Mayor Craig Mundt said Tues-
day.
Robert Barcinski, assistant
city manager of Delray Beach, is
one of the applicants still in the
running to replace Village Man-
ager Ray Howland, who is retir-
ing.
Others are Dennis Kelly, of
Deland; Teddy Ryan, Ocoee;
Curtis Shook, Charleston, R.I.;
Dennis \ Redmond, Maysville,
Ky.; James Stump, Cape May, In March 1987, Howland was
N.J., Thomas Bercher, East injured seriously when he was
Hampton, Mass.; and Glen Hill, hit by a car while riding a bicy-
Golden, Colo. cle. A former triathlete, How -
"We're conducting back- land was unable to resume
ground checks now," Mundt said. swimming, biking and running
"Of that group, we'll probably until October and said he has had
interview five or six, and we recurring pain from a broken
hope to start interviewing in a ankle.
North Palm trims village
manager field to 8 hopefuls
By NORV ROGGEN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Howland, village manager
for nine years, originally
planned to leave on Feb. 22. But
at the request of councilmen who
said they needed more time to
find his replacement, Howland
agreed to stay until March 29.
Howland, 59, cited ill health
as the reason he plans to leave
the $47,700-a-year job. He was
hospitalized for two days last
week for treatment of a stomach
condition.
North manager's
retirement dchanged
again by village council
Searchfor Howland's replacement underway
Ray Howland, the North Palm Beach Village Manager for
nine years, originally to retire on February 22, was asked to
stay until March 29. But Thursday night, the NPB council
voted to make February 25th Mr. Howland's last day. The
village is currently searching for a replacement for Howland,
and council is hoping to begin interviewing in a couple of
weeks.
Out of the 84 applications received by the village for the
position, the council has eliminated all but six. Howland
indicated to council several applications he felt "should be
explored further."
The six remaining applicants include Robert Barcinski, asst.
manager of Delray Beach; James Stump, manager of Cape May
Point, NJ; Dennis Redmond, manager of Maysville, KY; Curtis
Shook, manager of Charlestown, RI; Dennis Kelly, a consultant
from Deland; and Thomas Bercher, manager of Easthampton,
MA. "All these are excellent applicants in my mind," Howland
said. "Any of them would do a good job."
Currently the village is doing reference checks on the
applicants, and hopes to have enough information by January
18. At the North Palen council meeting Thursday, council said
they would like to get the field down to three applicants before
they begin interviewing. All applicants will be interviewed by
each member of council.
• -.
VILLA G-F
RAY HOWLAND has been
named honorary member of the
Hurida City Si County
gialugagfat Assrxiation.
Only 4 others ever received this honor
Former North Palm Beach
managerwins state honor x
y Daphne Nikolopoulos
Ray Howland, retired YIiagc
Manager of North Palm Beach,
has been named honorary
member of the Florida City
and County Management
Association. This award only
goes to a "select few,'' as only
four other individuals have
received it since the
association's inception.
T e announcement,
accompanied by a standing
ovation for Howland, came
last Friday, at the luncheon of
the board of directorsannual
meeting in Naples, 'lowland
was awarded the distinguished
honor because of his extensive
involvement in state boards.
Other criteria for the award
include having at least 20
years of management service,
being retired, and having a
good record of sereice.
Howland retired from the
Village Council last February,
but he says. he hasn't stopped
being active. He is still the
North Palm Beach
representative in the Seacoast
Utility Authority, serves in
several committees in the
North County Chamber of
Commerce, plays tiorkball, and
-is even training for a
triathlon.
"I'm definitely stay rig
busy." says the former
manager, 'My wife and I joke
about how we ever had time
for work!"
The Florida City and County
Management Association is
headquartered in Tallahassee
and has about 250-300
members from municipalities
with a council-manager form
or govi..Tnn-ierit,