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4.6. SR 04-28-1997ity of iver TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM Item # 6.6. Mayor & City Council Steve Ach, City Planner April 28, 1997 Consider Advertising for Planning Intern Two months ago during the Planning Department's annual report to the City Council, I indicated a request would be forthcoming for a planning intern. It has been approximately 18 months since Troy Langer left the department to pursue other career opportunities. Since Troy's departure the department has managed to survive the peaks and valleys of the development cycle, however, I believe we would be much better off with that additional staff member as we were in 1995. The 1997 budget included expenditures for an internship position. Spring is the best time to hire an intern as a majority of the students are graduating and are looking for internship or entry level positions. In the past, the city has contacted the planning programs at Mankato State and St. Cloud State to obtain applications of interested candidates. I will be contacting those same schools again this year, as that process seemed to work out well in the past. However, in addition to the two schools mentioned above, I have also contacted the landscape architecture program at the University of Minnesota to see if there would be any interested candidates that could possibly fit a unique position with the city. This position would still be considered a planning intern, however it would have slightly different credentials geared more towards an urban design/landscape architecture background. This position would still perform various planning duties in addition to other special design projects. Besides the typical planning functions, this design/landscape architect could provide the following services: on various city projects, consulting costs could be reduced or eliminated by having this position in house and lending their expertise to complete necessary plans; 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 · assist in the development review process and work with developers on alternative designs (if necessary) for projects; · assist the director of economic development with marketing items and conceptual development plans for redevelopment projects, industrial park concepts, etc.; · participate in streetscape projects or other urban design corridor projects; · work on various park development plans for the Park and Recreation Commission; and, · prepare various graphics and illustrations as a supplement to the zoning and sign ordinance. As mentioned above I will still be contacting Mankato State and St. Cloud State in the event an urban design/landscape architecture candidate cannot be found. Typically this is a difficult position to fill with such a diverse background, however, I think it is worth the effort to post a notice at the landscape architecture school to see what type of response the city receives. Once I have had a chance to review the applications for the planning intern position and have selected a qualified candidate, I will present this to the City Council for approval. It is anticipated that the position would have a beginning pay close to $10 per hour plus time and one-half overtime for attending various meetings. After a six month orientation period the performance review may justify a pay increase. Also, if this position works out to the satisfaction of the Council, I would request the Council consider this as a full time position after a years time. I will be in attendance Monday night to answer any questions the Council may have regarding this position and the process we will be going through. shrdockcouncil\pintern.doc NO TICE OF INTERNSHIP Position Title:: Planning Intern Department: Planning Department FLSA Status: {X} Non-Exempt Employment Status: Temporary Full Time Position Summa~ Description: Assist with ongoing responsibilities of the Planning Department, particularly in the areas of planning, zoning and urban design. The intern will perform a variety of functions including, but not limited to, assisting the public with general planning and zoning questions, conducting surveys, field work inspecting status of development projects and other special design projects. The intern will also review planning applications and prepare written report of the issues for Planning Commission and City Council consideration. This position will also contribute to landscape/design work on city projects. Examples may include various streetscape designs, park development plans, marketing drawings for economic development and graphic drawings for the zoning ordinance. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Experience and/or education in planning and/or landscape architecture with an understanding of land use and zoning principles, and analysis of public policies and issues. Good oral and written communication skills to work with residents, other city staff and city advisory committees. Understanding of personal computer software applications, graphic presentations, mapping, and word processing abilities is a plus. Education Bachelor's degree in City Planning, Landscape Architecture or related field. Graduate student or Master's degree preferred. If interested please send resume and cover letter to: Steve Ach, City Planner- City of Elk River, P.O. Box 490, 13065 Orono Parkway, Elk River, MN 55330 PLANNING Provides the principal contact between the developers of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Coordinates staff reports for Planning Commission and City Council deliberations concerning zoning, variances, platting, waivers and conditional use permits. Program efforts relate to everyday relationships between planning, implementation and development of the city. Serves as liaison for the Planning Commission, reviews and makes recommendations on current activities, and develops long-range plans to guide the physical development of the municipality. Provides for City Planning Consultants to offer input, when requested, on planning proposals, and special long and short range planning projects. 1997 BUDGET COMPARED WITH 1996 BUDGET This departmental budget is: - Proposed in the amount of $165,700; - A $21,500 or 15% increase compared to the adopted 1996 budget; -Approximately 3.6% of the total General Fund expenditures. Almost 90% of the expenditures in this budget are for personal services. The personal services category is proposed to increase by $18,950. The majority of the increase in personal services is for the addition of a Planning Intern in the sprin~. The planning department ~m:~ently has three employees: City Planner, Assistant City Planner, and Planning Secretary. The largest operating expenditure is for the public hearing notices to be pubhshed in the local newspaper. The other professional services category has increased by $1,500 to a total of $3,000 and expenditures in this hne item call for the hiring of a planning consultant to work with staff on a highway corridor, landscaping, and pedestrian trail study. 23.