5.5. SR 02-14-20007ity of
iver
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Dwyer, EDA President
Jeff Gongoll
Pat Klaers, City Administr~
February 14, 2000
Director of Economic Development Search
On January 24, 2000, the EDA and City Council both met to discuss the
selection process for a new director of economic development.
At the special EDA meeting, discussion took place regarding the fact that EDA
member Jeff Gongoll has stated his interest for the position. Staff
recommended hiring The Brimeyer Group, Inc., to conduct an executive search
for Paul's replacement. The EDA commented on the time it would take for The
Brimeyer Group to go through the executive search process and the cost for
hiring this firm to conduct this search. The EDA expressed its support for Jeff
and its desire to have Jeff considered for the position without hiring The
Brimeyer Group.
At the City Council meeting, comments were also made about the cost and
timing issues in hiring The Brimeyer Group for the executive search.
Additionally, councilmembers expressed concern that Jeff not be shown
favoritism for (or discrimination against) the position just because we have all
worked with him for a number of years. The council discussed using an outside
firm to make an objective evaluation of Jeffs qualifications and asked for a
Brimeyer Group quote on doing a "file search" and evaluation of Jeffs
qualifications versus the job requirements. Attached for your information is
this quote, which includes looking at the qualifications of candidates for
similar positions, reviewing Jeffs resume, interviewing Jeff, and making a
report to the council. Also attached is a second quote for The Brimeyer Group,
Inc., to go through the full executive search process.
Without a doubt, the cleanest and best approach to filling this vacant position
is to go through the entire executive search process and hire The Brimeyer
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Group, Inc., to conduct this search. This complete search process is expensive
and could take four months, but this process would answer questions about the
city selecting the best available candidate for the position.
Attachments
· Brimeyer Quote 1
· Brimeyer Quote 2
· Director of Economic Development Position Analysis
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council accept the quote from The Brimeyer
Group, Inc., for the full executive search process for the director of economic
development position.
The Brimeyer Group, Inc.
EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANTS
January 28, 2000
Fifty South Ninth Avenue
Suite 101
Hopkins, MN 55343
Mr. Pat Klaers
City of Elk River
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330-0490
Dear Pat:
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss how we might be of assistance to you in hiring a Economic
Development Director for the City of Elk River.
Our Understanding of Your Assignment
It is our understanding that your current Economic Development Director, Paul Steinman, will be
leaving and you are seeking a replacement. The Economic Development Director will report to the
City Administrator. Potential candidates for the position may be found within the City of Elk River
organization or community.
Our Approach to Your Assignment
We will review the Position Profile previously developed for the Economic Development Director
position. Using these parameters, we will conduct a ~e search of candidates who have applied to
The Brimeyer Group' for similar past assignments. We will solicit resumes of all internal candidates
for the position and conduct face-to-face interviews with those individuals. Following the evaluation
of internal candidates and resumes on file at The Brimeyer Group previously sent by econOmic
development professionals, we will present you with a report which will compare and rank the
suitability of each candidate for the Elk River position.
Fees, Expenses
We propose a flat fee of $2,000 to complete the entire assignment. We would also expect to bill for
expenses that are directly related to the assignment.
Thank you for this opportunity. We look forward to working with you.
(~)a~es L. Brin~eyer
The Brimeyer Group, Inc.
Pat Klaers
City of Elk River
(612) 945-0246 ° fax (612) 945-0102
The Brimeyer Group, Inc.
EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANTS
February 3, 2000
Fifty South Ninth Avenue
· Suite 101
Hopkins, MN 55343
Mr. Patrick Klaers
City of Elk River
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Dear Pat:
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss how we might be of assistance to you in hiring a
Economic Development Director for the City of Elk River.
Responsibility for the assignment will be under the direction of James Brimeyer assisted by the
staff of The Brimeyer Group.
We discussed the possibility of using information from Position Profiles previously developed
for the Economic Development Director position.
Our Underst~anding of Your Assignment
It is our understanding that your current Economic Development Director, Paul Steinman, will
be leaving and you are seeking a replacement. The Economic Development Director will
report to the City Administrator.
Our Approach to Your Assignment
We propose a step-by-step recruitment and selection process:
PHASE I
Development of the Position Profile We will use the information gathered for other
consUlting work done by The Brimeyer Group for the City of Elk River. In addition, we
propose to conduct interviews with persons who have a knowledge of the Economic
Development Department and who can provide meaningful input into the requirements of the
position. These include the City Administrator and selected City staff.
We will spend the necessary time to gain a clear understanding of the Department and the type
of person needed. Critical factors to be determined include position responsibility and
authority; reporting relationships; education; experience; personal leadership qualities;
management style; community development priorities; and the environment in which the
Director must function. We will prepare a draft of the Position Profile and review this with the
City Administrator and City staff prior to initiating our recruiting efforts.
(612) 945-0246 · fax (612) 945-0102
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PHAS~ H
Location of Candidates With your assistance and with our own rescarch staff we would
identify those organizations and associations from which we might recruit a pool of suitable
candidates. We will announce the position in the appropriate neWsletters and trade
publications. Our interactive Internet site located at: http://Brimeyer.instantlnterview.com/will
be used to announce the position and for preliminary candidate screening.
Evaluation and Comparison After our research and sourcing is completed, several qualified
candidates will emerge for evaluation and eomparisom Interviews will be scheduled with the
most promising individuals. Depending on the location of the candidates, the interviews will be
either face-to-face or completed through telephone screening. During this phase we will be
able to assess the individual's qualifications, accomplishments, and suitability for the position.
Our in-depth evaluation and appraisal techniques will cover issues such as work experience,
education, professional development and achievements, career objectives and philosophy.
Progress Report Following the evaluation-of candidates we will present you with a Progress
Report which will detail the education, work history, accomplishments, growth potentials,
strengths, and possible weaicnesses of the best suited candidates. We will personally deliver
and review these reports with you. On the basis of this report you will select candidates for the
final interviews.
Assessment The Brimeyer Group is authorized to administer the DiSC Behavioral
Management System assessment tool, which is designed to assess candidates' style, internal
motivation, self-management strategies and conflict management.
Background Checks Prior to the interviews, we will investigate the backgrounds of the finalist
candidates through discreet telephone and personal reference checks. We will talk with peers
and former associates of these candidates. We will verify the finalist candidates' credentials
through an educational, criminal, and credit check.
PI-IASE III
Interview and Selection Process We will assist in the process to the extent requested by the
City Administrator.
Negotiating Compensation package We will assist in the process to the extent requested by
the City Administrator.
We propose a fiat fee of $10,000 to complete the assignment. We would also expect to bill for
expenses that are directly related to the assignment. Necessary expenses include travel,
research, meals and lodging, long distance telephone, printing, credential verification, courier
service, administrative expenses, and Internet announcements. We would expect these
expenses to be in the range of $2,000 to $2,500. This estimate does not include any costs
associated with candidates' expenses for the interviews.
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Our payment policy on searches is one-third of the fee due upon being retained; one-third due
mid-assignment aider interviewing candidates to determine their suitability for the position; and
the balance due after the search has successfully been completed. In the event the city
terminates this agreement during the search we will retain the progress payments to that point.
Thank you for this opporUmity. We look forward to working with you.
J(~es L. Brimeyer
The Brimeyer Group, Inc.
Patrick Klaers
City of Elk River
Approve&
Revised:
City of Elk River Position Analysis
Position Title: Director of Economic Development
Department: Administration
Immediate Supervisor Title: City Administrator
FLSA Status: Exempt
Purpose: The Director of Economic Development supervises and coordinates economic development
planning activities for the City including, but not limited to, 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
1. Perform economic development administrative activities. A. Assist in preparation, updating, and implementation of various economic development
plans.
B. Supervise and coordinate consultants involved in economic development activities.
C. Compose documents and miscellaneous written material.
D. Develop and monitor departmental budget.
Promote and maintain community/business contact.
A. Assist and advise businesses locating or expanding in the City.
B. Explain the requirements of the development code and facilitate the development review
process.
C.' Work closely with the Finance, Planning, Zoning, and Building departments.
Perform data base management activities.
A. Maintain various promotional material and data base including inventory of properties
available for industrial and commercial development.
B. Prepare and provide information regarding land availability, markets, workforce availability,
taxes, transportation, utilities, and financing to City businesses.
Perform marketing and finance activities.
A. Work with economic development consultants in marketing and promotion of the
community to prospective businesses and encourage the expansion of existing businesses.
B. Work with the Finance Director to develop strategies for the allocation and delivery of City
financial assistance including tax increment financing, industrial revenue bonds, community
development block grants and applicable federal, state, and local programs for commercial,
industrial, housing projects, and the City's revolving loan fund.
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Perform staff liaison activities.
A. Provide staffliaison support to community development organizations including Economic
Development Commission, Housing and Kedevelopment Authority, local development
corporations, Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development Authority.
B. Develop strategies for working with appropriate commissions and task forces as needed.
Create/modify specific programs to be used in the marketing/attraction/retention of business such
as micro loan, housing rehabilitation, commercial rehabilitation, facade loan/grant, lease-
back and business incubator program.
Carry out responsibilities of being Executive Director of Economic Development Authority and
Housing and Redevelopment Authority including providing leadership/direction to these
commissions, and undertaking activities to accomplish the goals of these two commissions.
Provide leadership in formulating and undertaking plans and strategies to assure continued long
term economic growth in the community.
Interact with various business and community leaders to promote positive awareness of economic
development programs/issues/ideas. Provide education and build support for these
programs/issues/ideas.
REQUnlED KNOWLEDGE, SKII.LS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of public and provide financing techniques for economic development.
Ability to use spreadsheet, word processing, and data base 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.
Ability to work independently.
I¥~qlMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's' degree in 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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in business administration, public administration, or related field with extensive course
work in economics, marketing, and finance. Five years experience in municipal government.
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