5.5.B. SR 12-13-2010REQUEST FOR ACTION
TO ITEM NUMBER
Ma or and Ci Council 5.5.B.
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
Worksession December 13, 2010 Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By
Economic Development Assistant Position Review
REVIEWED BY
ACTION REQUESTED
Consider revised position description, title, and pay grade for current economic development assistant
position as outlined below.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In 2007 following the resignation of the assistant director of economic development, the position
description, title and pay grade were reviewed as is occasionally done when a position is vacated. A
recommendation was made by staff to maintain the position at the current pay grade with a few minor
changes in the position description. The Council did not agree with staff's recommendation and took
action to lower the position to an entry level position. The Personnel Committee reviewed the new entry
level economic development assistant position and recommended it be placed at pay grade seven. The
Council ultimately reduced the pay grade to pay grade six at the February 4, 2008, Council meeting.
Annie Deckert was subsequently hired as economic development assistant in April, 2008.
It has become clear over the past two years that the duties and responsibilities that appropriately fit with
this position currently are above entry level. The recent addition of leading the marketing and branding
campaign to this position. further indicates that this is not an entry level position. The position has taken
responsibility for more marketing and communication duties than originally expected. On occasion I will
also assign special projects such as the recent NorthStar marketing committee.
In order to retain existing staff, it is important that this position be classified properly. Cathy Mehelich,
economic development director, Annie Deckert, economic development assistant, Lauren Wipper,
human resource representative, and I have thoroughly reviewed the position and developed a revised
position description based on current duties and responsibilities. The title has also been changed to
Marketing and Business Development Administrator. Ms. Wipper reviewed the position description and
placed it at pay grade eight. The current position is at pay grade six. The revised position description
requires more experience, has expanded duties, and requires more independent judgment and decision
making.
If the Council agrees with the revised position as stated above, a pay adjustment is appropriate. Ms.
Deckert is currently at the top of pay grade six ($52,691). Step A of pay grade eight is $54,118 and step B
is $56,505. I recommend that Ms. Deckert be placed at step B effective upon approval of the revised
position and move to step C on July 1, 2012, based upon satisfactory performance.
N:\1'ublic Bodies\City Council\Lori\2010\Review Economic Development Assistant Position.doc
FINANCIAL IMPACT
If the Council approves the change recommended, the pay may increase $1,427 to $3,814 per year.
ATTACHMENTS
^ Marketing and Business Development Administrator position description
^ Economic Development Assistant position description
Action Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
N:\Public Bodies\City Council\Lori\2010\Review Economic Development Assistant Position.doc
' ~ "' City of Elk River
City of
Elk -~.~ Economic Development Assistant
River Position Description
Department/Division: Immediate Supervisor:
Community Development/Economic Director of Economic Development
Develo ment
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
6 Exem t 1/31/08
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Economic Development Assistant is responsible for assisting in the undertaking of a variety of
routine and complex economic development initiatives in industrial, commercial, housing and
redevelopment activities.
Essential Functions
1. Performs business development and financial administration activities.
A. Administers the micro loan fund.
B. Utilizes the Strategic Plan for Economic Development and the Strategic Industrial
Marketing Plan.
G Coordinates the business retention and expansion program.
D. Assists in the preparation, updating and implementation of various economic
development plans.
E. Maintains inventory of the properties available for development.
F. Assists in promoting, recruiting, evaluating and facilitating prospective clients
through site selection process.
G. Acts as staff liaison to EDA subcommittees as assigned.
H. Assists in writing, reviewing, and overseeing grants.
2. Performs housing and redevelopment activities.
A. Assists with activities for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
B. Assists in the updating and implementation of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
C. Assists with the coordination of the redevelopment planning process.
D. Assists in the preparation and updating of the Elk River Housing Study.
E. Assists in the preparation, updating and implementation of various redevelopment
plans.
Performs marketing activities.
A. Utilizes Economic Development Communication Standards in all marketing
materials and activities.
B. Creates, distributes and maintains marketing materials for promotion of economic
development and available commercial and industrial land.
C. Assists in the marketing of the Energy City program and activities.
D. Creates marketing techniques to promote and fill business and industrial parks.
E. Utilizes special writing skills to distribute public information in order to create better
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awareness of development opportunities in the City of Elk River.
4. Performs communication activities.
A. Delivers presentations to the City Council, Boards, Commissions, the public and
other external groups to provide information and encourage use of services.
B. Receives and responds to requests for information.
C. Composes documents and reports.
D. Serves as staff liaison with downtown association.
5. Performs economic development expansion duties.
A. Works to know and serve customers.
B. Clearly understands the basics functions and responsibilities of expanding businesses.
C. Develops effective action plan to address development issues or concerns.
D. Keeps all divisions and departments informed on a timely basis.
E. Attends and participates in economic development expansion meetings.
F. .Achieves the City of Elk River's development goals.
6. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
^ Knowledge of industrial and commercial development.
^ Knowledge of central business district redevelopment.
^ Knowledge of community marketing and promotion.
^ Knowledge of Tax Increment Financing and Tax Abatement.
^ Knowledge of GAP financing and low interest loan programs.
^ Knowledge of housing programs.
^ Knowledge of growth issues.
^ Skill in business retention and recruitment.
^ Skill in working within the framework of a strategic plan.
^ Ability to work with various appointed and elected officials and boards.
^ Ability to use spreadsheet, word processing, and database software proficiently.
^ Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
^ Ability to .establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
^ Ability to comprehend the City of Elk River's Strategic Plan for Economic Development
and the Strategic Industrial Marketing Plan.
Minimum Qualifications
^ Four-year degree in business administration, community development, public administration,
or related field with extensive course work in economics, marketing, and finance.
^ One-year experience applying economic development principals and theories.
^ Valid. driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
^ Additional years of economic development experience.
'1'Ivs Position L~escripuon is not intended ro he all-inclusi~ e. It is within the Cirn of ilk Kicer's discretion
to assi~m additional duties and icspon~ibilities yr re~novc duties and responsibilities at anti time.
This Position Description. does not constitute a Contract of Employment.
Page 2
Economic Development Assistant
City of
El:
City of Elk River
Marketing and Business
Development Administrator
Position Description
Department/Division: Immediate Supervisor:
Community Development/Economic Director of Economic Development
Develo went
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
8 Exem t 12/2010
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Marketing and Business Development Administrator is responsible for City Branding and the
communications and marketing of Economic Development, Energy City, and Housing programs in
addition to assisting in the undertaking of a variety of routine and complex economic development
initiatives in industrial, commercial, housing and redevelopment activities.
Essential Functions
Performs Community Development marketing and communication activities.
A. Prepares and delivers presentations to the City Council, Boards, Commissions, the
public and other external groups to provide information and encourage use of
services.
B. Coordinates Energy City marketing and communications with direction from
Environmental Administrator.
C. Creates, designs, distributes and maintains marketing materials for promotion of
economic development, and available commercial and industrial land.
D. Creates marketing techniques to promote and fill business and industrial parks.
E. Coordinates Economic Development and Energy City event planning for business
development to both local and outside business audiences.
F. Utilizes special writing skills to distribute public information in order to create better
awareness of development opportunities in the City of Elk River.
G. Administers and develops marketing plan for Economic Development social media
sites to encourage and enhance civic engagement in accordance to City's
Communication Policy.
H. Creates content and maintains the Economic Development page of the City's
website.
I. Develops and maintains community contact lists.
Page 1
2. Assists the Ciry Administrator in ensuring the direction of the city is consistent with the
city's vision and that the vision is successfully communicated to the public.
A. Administers and implements City Wide Branding Campaign while utilizing and
promoting the City's vision.
B. Develops marketing strategy, including social media, which effectively markets the
City and educates the public in terms of the City's vision.
C. Coordinates with the City Clerk to provide social media training to Ciry staff, assist
in the creation of social media sites, and respond to staff questions.
D. Develops and maintains a strong and productive relationship with both print and
electronic media outlets.
E. Receives and responds to requests for information.
F. Composes documents and reports.
Performs business development and financial administration activities.
A. Administers the micro loan fund program.
B. Develops and monitors Economic Development Authority marketing and
advertising budgets and others as assigned.
C. Utilizes the Strategic Plan for Economic Development and the Strategic Industrial
Marketing Plan.
D. Coordinates the business retention and expansion program.
E. Assists in the preparation, updating and implementation of various economic
development plans.
F. Maintains inventory of the properties available for development.
G. Assists in promoting, recruiting, evaluating and facilitating prospective clients
through development process.
H. Accesses applicable federal EDA grants for target marketing campaign for business
development- including grant writing and program implementation.
4. Performs staff liaison activities.
A. Provides staff liaison support to community development organizations including
Economic Development Authority, Housing and Redevelopment Authority,
Northstar Corridor Development Authority and local organizations (i.e. Downtown
River's Edge Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, etc.)
(1) Acts as staff liaison to EDA subcommittees as assigned (i.e.: Finance Committee,
marketing committee, etc.)
B. Develops strategies for working with appropriate commissions and task forces as
needed.
5. Performs housing and redevelopment activities.
A. Administers, implements and provides education regarding City's foreclosure
initiatives and strategies, including grant programs.
B. Creates, designs and promotes housing programs materials.
C. Maintains City's foreclosure tracking spreadsheet.
D. Assists with activities for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
E. Assists in the updating and implementation of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
F. Assists with the coordination of the redevelopment planning process.
G. Assists in the preparation and updating of the Elk River Housing Study.
H. Assists in the preparation, updating and implementation of various redevelopment
plans.
Page 2
6. Assists City Administrator with assigned projects.
A. Assists City Administrator with special projects as assigned.
B. Represents the City as assigned by the City Administrator.
7. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
^ Knowledge of industrial and commercial development.
^ Knowledge of central business district redevelopment.
^ Knowledge of community marketing and promotion.
^ Knowledge of Tax Increment Financing and Tax Abatement.
^ Knowledge of GAP financing and low interest loan programs.
^ Knowledge of housing programs.
^ Knowledge of growth issues.
^ Skill in business retention and recruitment.
^ Skill in working within the framework of a strategic plan.
^ Ability to work with various appointed and elected officials and boards.
^ Ability to use spreadsheet, word processing, and database software proficiently.
^ Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
^ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
^ Ability to comprehend the City of Elk River's Strategic Plan for Economic Development
and the Strategic Industrial Marketing Plan.
Minimum Qualifications
^ Four-year degree in business administration, community development, public administration,
or related field with extensive course work in economics, marketing, and finance.
^ Two-year experience applying economic development principles and theories.
^ Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
^ Certified by the National Development Council as an Economic Development Finance
Professional.
^ Additional years of economic development experience.
^ Municipal government experience.
"Phis Position Description is not intended to be all-inchisi~c. Iris ~i-ithin the Cit~r of leak Ri~-~~'s discretion
to assi~m additional duties and responsihiliries or iemo~c duties send icsponsibilitie at atlc tune.
This Position Description does not constitutes Contract of Employment.
Page 3
~j
~lk REQUEST FOR ACTION
River
TO ITEM NUMBER
Elk River Economic Develo ment Authori 6.
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
Annie Deckert
Economic Develo ment Assistant
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By
Authorize staff to begin RFP process and form branding Catherine Mehelich
subcommittee to help facilitate and guide the branding process Director of Economic Develo ment
until completion. REVIEWED BY "
ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize staff to begin RFP process and form a branding subcommittee to help facilitate and guide
branding process until completion.
BACKGROUND
At the November 8t'' Elk River Economic Development Authority meeting, the EDA discussed the need
for and evaluating moving forward with a City branding campaign. A City wide branding campaign is an
action step and will support the Goals that support the Vision, approved by the Elk River City Council at
the October 18`'' meeting.
DISCUSSION
Staff has researched several processes and consultants other communities have used to `re-brand' their
image. From this research, staff has identified a general scope and approximate timeline for completion
of the branding campaign. The scope includes the following items:
• Research, information gathering and background review of community
o Including, but not limited to, current and prior plans, strategies and taglines,
websites, social media sites, etc.
• Creation of branding subcommittee
• Public participation, including Elk River businesses, residents as well as outside participation
to identify `perception' of Elk River from outside audiences
o Information gathered through surveys, interviews, etc.
• Develop communications strategy to update community, residents, employees and
commissions on progress and key milestones of process
• Develop community branding and marketing strategy (using existing logo) utilizing results of
public participation and branding subcommittee
• Develop master implementation strategy (each department can choose how to execute the
plan)
• Final presentation, follow-up support
N:\Departments\Communiry Development\Economic Development\Mazketing\Branding\Memos\12-13-10 EDA Action Requested.doc