4.6. SR 05-26-1998Aty of
iver
Item #4.6.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor and City Council
Steve Ach, City Planner~~_~
May 26, 1998
SUBJECT: Consider Hiring a Planner
Overview
In the middle of January, the City Council authorized the hiring of Steve
Wensman as the Planning Intern. The term of the employment was to be a
six month internship. Steve is approximately 2/3 of the way through the
internship and, as I suggested to the Council when the hiring was
authorized, a request would eventually be made to consider hiring Steve on a
full-time basis.
Attached is a job description of a planner position. The position would
perform a variety of planning department functions including:
Preparing Planning Commission and City Council reports
Reviewing development/site plans
· Assist the public with general zoning questions
· Inspecting sites for conformance with site plan approval
· Preparing special studies/projects
In addition, the position would continue to assist other departments in a
planning capacity.
Park & Recreation Commission
Since February, Steve has worked closely with the Park & Recreation
Commission preparing site plans of undeveloped parks throughout the city.
Some of the parks were presented to neighborhood groups for comment
following the Park & Recreation Commission endorsing a particular plan.
Besides the "Park of the Month" project (see attached), Steve has provided
assistance to the Park Commission on various issues as they relate to new
plat requests. For example, Trott Brook Farms has numerous issues
regarding park land, pedestrian systems and possible use of Trott Brook as a
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Memo to Mayor and City Council
May 26, 1998
Page 2
linear park/trail corridor. Steve has been able to meet with the developers on
site and walk the property which has allowed him to work towards
reasonable solutions for the park needs for that particular development.
Steve's presence at the Park & Recreation Commission meeting has been
received positively by the Park & Recreation Commission. The additional
staff time allows for an invaluable planning effort on park-related issues. As
we all know, the park system is an integral component of residential
subdivisions and efforts applied up front will pay dividends in the end.
Economic Development
This position will provide support to the Economic Development Department
in terms of preparing concept plans for prospective industrial businesses
wishing to locate in the city. This has already been done for a lot the city
owns in Elk River Industrial Park. Also, concepts have been done for the
Holt and Jackson site for prospective commercial business. These are just a
few examples of how the site planning/design skills can contribute towards
visualizing how property could be developed. This truly contributes to the
marketing of property and the city's vision for development patterns.
As the Central Business District Master Plan moves forward past the
visioning process, Paul Steinman and I envision a lot of design work being
necessary. Rather than hiring a consulting firm to perform this work, the
planner could easily accomplish the same tasks and save the city the
consulting fees. In addition, staff has discussed possible redevelopment
opportunities throughout the city. Having a person on staff with design skills
contributes by preparing concepts how areas may be redeveloped. Discussing
long range planning/development issues such as redevelopment, the visual
presentation will carry a clearer message than a verbal explanation. This
position will offer those opportunities.
Salad.
A specific salary has not been identified for this position at this time. The
personnel committee will conduct a review of this position's point ranking
and salary range and present that to the City Council for consideration. It is
expected the position would be ranked below the Planning Assistant position.
Conclusion
Over the past four months, Steve has demonstrated the abilities I expected
for this position. The design/landscape architecture skills will benefit the
city's planning efforts across many different departments. I firmly believe
f:\shrdoc\council\planner.doc
Memo to Mayor and City Council
May 26, 1998
Page 3
the planner position is a necessary position the Council should consider
adding at this time. There are many projects and issues that will continue to
need attention that this position can contribute to: redevelopment of the
mining areas, impact of the North Star Corridor, future land use studies,
continued park planning needs and other city involved projects.
Recommendation
It is recommended the City Council hire Steve Wensman as the planner with
a compensation based on the ranking as determined by the personnel
committee. Once the committee meets to discuss the point ranking, a
recommendation will be presented to the City Council for consideration at the
June 1st Council meeting.
f:kshrdoc\council\planner.doc
Approved:
Revised:
City of Elk River Position Analysis
Position Title: Planner
Department: Planning
Immediate Supervisor's Title: City Planner
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Purpose: The Planner works under the direction of the City Planner. Responsible for
landscape design and site planning for city parks and development projects. Administers
zoning ordinances; assists in review of development proposals; provides information to callers
about planning and zoning matters; assists in research and analysis of comprehensive plan;
conducts special studies as directed by City Planner.
Essential Functions
1. Assist in designing park plans and other development projects.
A. Serves as planning staff liaison to the Park and Recreation Commission
B. Designs landscape and site plans for park planning
C. Design concept development plans for city projects such as economic
development projects.
D. Prepare agenda materials for Park and Recreation Commission as they relate to
park planning and development.
Assist in coordinating activities within the Planning Department.
A. Prepare agenda and agenda materials; schedule meetings; and notify members of
other departments and planning commission of upcoming meetings.
B. Receive and respond to correspondence for planning commission or board of
zoning adjustments.
Administer Zoning Ordinances.
A. Respond to public inquiries regarding zoning standards.
B. Assist in maintaining a current zoning ordinance by preparing various ordinance
amendments.
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Assist in review of development plans/requests.
A. Establish and coordinate plan review/procedures, and ensure
preparation/development of proposals/recommendations for planning
commission.
B. Analyze and review ordinance amendments, rezoning, variance, conditional use,
and platting requests, and submit to appropriate agency or department.
Provide and obtain planning advice and/or information.
A. Respond to questions from citizens, civic groups, etc., on interpretation of overall
plans, city projects, or ordinances.
B. Meet with developers, citizens, and neighborhood groups to explain a
development plan and the plan's compatibility with overall plan and applicable
zoning/subdivision regulations.
C. Present cases and reports on studies and plans to citizen groups, commissions, and
governing board.
D. Establish and maintain communication with other jurisdiction's interests.
o
Perform communication activities
A. Compose documents and edit written material.
B. Write routine correspondence and reports.
C. Deliver presentations to various internal and external groups to provide
information, encourage use of services, request approval.
D. Receive and respond to requests for information and complaints
Perform various planning administrative duties
A. Assist in developing/administering comprehensive plan.
B. Assist in various research and studies.
C. Direct resident and developers on new wetland laws by coordinating with
appropriate federal and state agencies.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of landscape architecture and site planning.
General knowledge of engineering principles.
Ability to interpret grading plans and surveys
Ability to conduct on-site field inspections for items such as erosion control, tree preservation,
grading and landscaping installation.
Skill to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of groups.
Skill to research and conduct studies related to land economics, property uses, and trends.
Ability to interpret and apply zoning ordinances and subdivision laws and regulations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with council, planning
commission, developers, residents and community groups, and other employees.
Ability to review and update maps.
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Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors Degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture or related field with three years
experience in landscape design and site planning.
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