8.6. SR 05-16-2011Item # 8.(
o
MEMORANDUM
ver
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator
DATE: May I6, 201 I
SUBJECT: Discussion on Economic Development Director Position
As you are aware, Cathy Mehelich, director of economic development has accepted a
position as the City of St. Cloud's Economic Development Director. On Monday, the
Council should begin the discussion of how to proceed with this vacancy.
I have attached the position description for the director of economic development as well as
the community development director and marketing and business development
administrator fox your review. This will give you an idea of how economic development
duties are currently allocated among the three positions. Further, this is an opportune time
to make changes to the position descriptions to reallocate the duties or to improve the
departmental structure. As far as filling a vacancy, there are several options for the Council
to consider such as replacing this position as is or filling the community development
director position with someone highly experienced in economic development thereby
meeting the need to fill a department head position while maintaining economic
development expertise the city needs.
Finally, I'd like to thank Cathy for her many years of service and dedication to the City. She
has been passionate about bringing development to the City. We wish her the very best in
her new position.
" '~''' City of Elk River
Director of Economic Development
Elk
River Position Description
Department/Division: Immediate Supervisor:
Community Development/Economic Community Development Director
Develo ment
Pay Grade: bK,'> ' ~ 39 FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
12 Exem t 3/2006
Positions Supervised:
Economic Develo ment Assistant
Position Summary
The Director of Economic Development supervises and coordinates economic development
planning activities for the City including marketing, analysis of financial assistance resources, and
acting as a resource to commerce and industry developers. Serves as Executive Director to the
Economic Development Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Essential Functions
Performs economic development administrative activities.
A. Assists in preparation, updates, and implementations of various economic
development plans including the Strategic Plan for Economic Development.
B. Supervises and coordinates consultants involved in economic development activities.
C. Serves as Executive Director of the Economic Development Authority and the
Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
D. Performs timely annual performance reviews of all employees supervised.
E. Prepares agendas, staff reports and makes presentations to the Economic
Development Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
2. Promotes and maintains community/business contact.
A. Assists and advises businesses locating or expanding in the City.
B. Explains the city requirements and facilitates the development review process.
C. Works closely with the Finance Department and other divisions within the
Community Development Department.
D. Interacts with business and community leaders to educate and promote awareness of
economic development programs and issues.
Performs marketing activities.
A. Works with economic development consultants in marketing and promotion of the
community to prospective businesses and encourages the expansion of existing
businesses.
B. Works with the Community Development Director to develop strategies for the
allocation and delivery of City financial assistance including tax increment financing,
tax abatement, industrial revenue bonds, community development block grants and
applicable federal, state, and local programs for commercial, industrial, housing
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projects and the City's revolving loan fund.
C. Maintains promotional material and inventory of properties available for
development.
D. Prepares and provides information regarding land availability, markets, workforce
availability, taxes, transportation, utilities and financing to Ciry businesses.
4. Performs financial administration activities.
A. Develops and monitors Economic Development Authority and Housing and
Redevelopment Authority and related program budgets.
5. Performs staff liaison activities.
A. Provides staff liaison support to community development organizations including
Economic Development Authority, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, local
development corporations and Chamber of Commerce.
B. Develops strategies for working with appropriate commissions and task forces as
needed.
Promotes economic development.
A. Creates and/or modifies programs used in the marketing, attraction or retention of
business.
B. Provides leadership to assure continued long term economic growth in the
community.
Performs Economic Development Expansion duties.
A. Works to know and serve customers.
B. Clearly understands the basic functions and responsibilities of expanding businesses.
C. Develops effective action plan to address Economic Development issues or
concerns.
D. Keeps divisions and departments informed on a timely basis.
E. Attends and participates in all Economic Development Expansion meetings.
F. Achieves the City of Elk River's development goals.
8. 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 public and private financing techniques for economic development.
^ Knowledge of industrial and commercial development.
^ Knowledge of central business district redevelopment.
^ Knowledge of community marketing and promotion.
^ Knowledge of housing programs.
^ Knowledge of growth issues.
^ Skill in business retention and recruitment.
^ Ability to use spreadsheet, word processing, and database software proficiently.
^ Ability to effectively coordinate support from City staff and outside consultants to ensure
successful completion of economic development activities.
^ Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
^ Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
^ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
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Director of Economic Development
^ Ability to comprehend the City of Elk River's Strategic Plan for Economic Development
and the Strategic Industrial Marketing Plan.
^ Ability to work independently.
Minimum Qualifications
^ Bachelor's degree in community development, business administration, public administration
or related field with extensive course work in economics, marketing and finance.
^ Five years experience in economic development with emphasis on marketing and
public/private financing.
^ One year supervision experience.
^ Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
^ Master's degree in community development, business administration, public administration
or related field with extensive course work in economics, marketing and finance.
^ Experience in municipal government.
^ Certified by the National Development Council as an Economic Development Finance
Professional.
This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive.. It is within the Cit~r of Elk River's discretion
toa sign a.dditionalduties and responsib.iiities ox remove duties and responsibilities at anv tune.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Etnployment.
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Director of Economic Development
~''' City of Elk River
,,,~,., Community Development Director
ver Position Description
Department: Immediate Supervisor:
Communi Develo ment Ci Administrator
Pay Grade: ~b ~~ ~ " 9'1,~ 5'i FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
15 Exem t 02/27/06
Positions Supervised:
Building Official, Environmental Administrator, Planning Manager, Director of Economic
Develo ment, Administrative Assistant
Position Summary
The Community Development Director is responsible for the management, leadership, and
oversight of the planning, economic development, building and environmental divisions.
Essential Functions
1. Directs and supervises department operations to achieve goals within available resources.
A. Trains, develops, and motivates staff.
B. Performs timely annual performance reviews of all employees supervised.
C. Evaluates employee performance on a formal and informal basis and creates job
performance improvement plans as appropriate.
D. Assists in selecting training to develop staff.
E. Studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of
operations.
F. Delegates work assignments.
2. Develops strategic initiatives to further the mission, goals and objectives of the City Council,
Economic Development Authority (EDA), Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA),
Planning Commission, Energy City Commission (ECC) and Heritage Preservation
Commission (HPC).
3. Provides leadership and direction in the development of Community Development related
short and long range plans and projects.
A. Gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations.
B. Coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
4. Prepares annual department reports.
5. Monitors inter-governmental decisions and legislative initiatives affecting department
operations and takes appropriate action.
6. Provides information and consultation to the City Administrator, EDA, HRA, ECC, HPC,
City Council, Planning Commission, as well as county, state, and federal agencies.
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7. Participates as a member of the City Administrator's management team by providing
information and support to other departments on a broad range of issues.
Implements the City's comprehensive planning process objectives.
9. Provides guidance, analysis, and departmental approval on community
development/redevelopment incentive agreements.
10. Analyzes and implements infra-departmental programs and processes to ensure proper
service delivery to the general public.
11. Prepares, submits, and administers annual departmental budget including the controls
necessary to ensure budgetary compliance.
A. Responsible for staff support to monitor revenues and expenditures to assure sound
fiscal control.
B. Assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities,
and time.
12. 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
^ Thorough knowledge of community development, economic development, redevelopment,
planning, zoning, and urban land use principles, land use law, best practices, and trends.
^ Thorough knowledge of the strategic planning process, code enforcement, building
inspection, environmental health, and budget development and administration.
^ Thorough knowledge of public financing techniques including grants, loans, state and federal
programs, tax abatement, and tax increment financing and the ability to use them to design
effective financial assistance packages for new or expanding businesses.
^ Knowledge of engineering and building construction principles and concepts.
^ Knowledge of geographic information systems and how to use them in the operation of a
community development department.
^ Knowledge of landscape architecture and traffic engineering.
^ Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as they relate to planning and
subdivision design and control.
^ Ability to negotiate effectively.
^ Ability to supervise a complex set of department functions.
^ Ability to think in a creative and strategic manner in order to develop alternative program
proposals designed to achieve results consistent with community goals.
^ Ability to communicate effectively orally and to write clearly, concisely, and legibly.
^ Ability to make presentations to a variety of audiences.
^ Ability to analyze technical and statistical information and to prepare and present technical
oral and written reports.
^ Ability. to prepare written grant applications.
^ Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
o Ability to use Microsoft based computer software.
^ Ability to write and administer development-related grants.
^ Demonstrated leadership abilities.
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Community Development Director
Minimum Qualifications
^ Bachelor's degree in public administration, urban studies, land use planning or closely related
field.
^ Five years supervisory experience.
^ Seven years extensive experience of a progressively responsible nature in economic
development, planning, building code, and general community development activities.
^ Experience as a department or division head for a community of 15,000 or larger.
^ Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
^ Master's degree in urban studies, public administration, or closely related field.
^ Supervisory experience in public administration, community development, or closely related
management position.
This Position Description is trot uitended t~ be all inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River's discretion.
to assign. additional duties aiid responsibilities or ren-~ove duties and responsibilities at anytime.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract. of Employment.
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Community Development Director
u •
- ~~ City of Elk River
City of Marketing and Business
Elk. ~ ment Administrator
r Develop
R1Ve ' ' D scri tion
Position e p
Department/Division:S~Iltd ~ ~e3~tata~d Immediate Supervisor:
Community Development/Economic Director of Economic Development
Develo ment
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 Ciry, 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 Ciry 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 Ciry's
Communication Policy.
H. Creates content and maintains the Economic Development page of the City's
website.
I. Develops and maintains community contact lists.
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2. Assists the City 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 City 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.
3. 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.
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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.
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.
^ Abiliry to work with various appointed and elected officials and boards.
^ Abiliry to use spreadsheet, word processing, and database software proficiently.
^ Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
^ Abiliry to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
^ Abiliry 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.
This Position I~escr-i~~riun is n~~r ir~tcndcd i~~ lx• all-inclusi<<°. lr i~ ~l°ithirl th~° Cin~ of I~ak Ri~cr'~ discictitm
to assign additional dories and rrsj_~~u~sihilirics or rern~~~~e~ duiics anal r~~sp~~n~il~i~iti~s a~ an~• rime.
This Position. Description does riot constitute a Contract of Emp1o4 merit.
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