MONROE - Common Council members declined to reveal the finalists after a special meeting Wednesday to interview city administrator candidates, but the field has been trimmed to two.
The names of the final candidates will be announced today, Mayor Ron Marsh said, in open session following the closed meeting at City Hall.
A third candidate will also be notified of being cut from the running, he said.
The three men interviewed were, in order, Rex A. Ewald, Monroe; James A. Mogen, Rice, Minn.; and James L. Gitz, Prairie du Chien.
Marsh, along with all 10 aldermen, interviewed the candidates. A background check will be done of the remaining candidates in the next couple of weeks, council President Dan Henke said.
Visits to the candidates' home cities will also be scheduled, Marsh said.
No announcement was made regarding any future candidate interviews at the meeting.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said no background checks have been done yet. His department was asked only to verify references in the candidates' applications and submit a report. Kelley said the people listed as references were "called to see what they had to say."
The length of each interview Wednesday varied.
The council went into closed session at 5:30 p.m. Ewald, currently Monroe's city attorney, was called into the meeting room at about 5:35 p.m. He exited the front doors of the building at about 6:25 p.m.
Mogen was called in to his interview session at about 6:30 p.m., which lasted until about 7:30 p.m.
Gitz was called into his interview session at about 7:35 p.m. and left at about 8 p.m.
Rarely could any voices be heard during his interview.
Aldermen and Marsh spent about 30 minutes in discussion before opening the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Applicants needed a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school, five years legal experience with three in municipal law, and to be a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association. The new city administrator will be required to write policies, ordinances, resolutions, contracts and agreements, and other legal documents, as well as provide litigation, prosecution and other legal services for the city. Human Resources duties, including overseeing all personnel matters, remain in the job description.
Ewald holds degrees in economics, geography and law. He has practiced law in Monroe since 1979, and is a partner in the Voegeli, Ewald and Bartholf Law Offices. He has been active on the Green County YMCA board of directors; served as chairman for the United Way of Green County fundraising campaign; and volunteers as legal counsel to the Green County Cheese Days, Inc.
Mogen holds a degree in environmental studies and law, and is currently working on a graduate certificate in public administration. He served with the office of Minnesota Attorney General, representing the departments of Transportation and of Labor and Industry. He also served as staff with the Metropolitan Council, the Ramsey County Attorney's office and the Minnesota Senate.
Gitz, current city administrator of Prairie du Chien, will resign that position effective Dec. 31. He holds degrees in economics and law. He was previously the chief counsel in Urbana, Ill., a (two-term) mayor of Freeport, Ill., and an Illinois state senator.
The names of the final candidates will be announced today, Mayor Ron Marsh said, in open session following the closed meeting at City Hall.
A third candidate will also be notified of being cut from the running, he said.
The three men interviewed were, in order, Rex A. Ewald, Monroe; James A. Mogen, Rice, Minn.; and James L. Gitz, Prairie du Chien.
Marsh, along with all 10 aldermen, interviewed the candidates. A background check will be done of the remaining candidates in the next couple of weeks, council President Dan Henke said.
Visits to the candidates' home cities will also be scheduled, Marsh said.
No announcement was made regarding any future candidate interviews at the meeting.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said no background checks have been done yet. His department was asked only to verify references in the candidates' applications and submit a report. Kelley said the people listed as references were "called to see what they had to say."
The length of each interview Wednesday varied.
The council went into closed session at 5:30 p.m. Ewald, currently Monroe's city attorney, was called into the meeting room at about 5:35 p.m. He exited the front doors of the building at about 6:25 p.m.
Mogen was called in to his interview session at about 6:30 p.m., which lasted until about 7:30 p.m.
Gitz was called into his interview session at about 7:35 p.m. and left at about 8 p.m.
Rarely could any voices be heard during his interview.
Aldermen and Marsh spent about 30 minutes in discussion before opening the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Applicants needed a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school, five years legal experience with three in municipal law, and to be a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association. The new city administrator will be required to write policies, ordinances, resolutions, contracts and agreements, and other legal documents, as well as provide litigation, prosecution and other legal services for the city. Human Resources duties, including overseeing all personnel matters, remain in the job description.
Ewald holds degrees in economics, geography and law. He has practiced law in Monroe since 1979, and is a partner in the Voegeli, Ewald and Bartholf Law Offices. He has been active on the Green County YMCA board of directors; served as chairman for the United Way of Green County fundraising campaign; and volunteers as legal counsel to the Green County Cheese Days, Inc.
Mogen holds a degree in environmental studies and law, and is currently working on a graduate certificate in public administration. He served with the office of Minnesota Attorney General, representing the departments of Transportation and of Labor and Industry. He also served as staff with the Metropolitan Council, the Ramsey County Attorney's office and the Minnesota Senate.
Gitz, current city administrator of Prairie du Chien, will resign that position effective Dec. 31. He holds degrees in economics and law. He was previously the chief counsel in Urbana, Ill., a (two-term) mayor of Freeport, Ill., and an Illinois state senator.