4.8. SR 05-15-2000~'ity
of
iver
MEMORANDUM
Item #4.8.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
May 15, 2000
Director of Economic Development Search
On Tuesday, May 9, 2000, the interview committee (composed of EDA President Pat
Dwyer, HRA Chair Duane Kropuenske, City Council members Thompson and Motin,
Finance Director Lori Johnson and I) met with Jim Brimeyer of the Brimeyer
executive search firm at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the interview process for the four
finalist candidates for the director of economic development position. In addition to
the approximately one hour interview with each of the four applicants, three of the
four applicants were present for lunch with the interview committee and eight of the
city department heads. After lunch, a tour of the city was provided to the applicants
and, in addition to the interview, an essay question and multiple choice test was
given.
Following the interviews, discussion took place regarding the top candidates and
which candidate would be presented to the council as the interview committee's
recommendation. Councilmember Thompson had to leave the discussion early, so no
consensus was reached Tuesday afternoon, and the team reconvened Wednesday
morning. At the Wednesday morning meeting a clear consensus of the top candidate
for the position was reached by the committee and staff (Lori and I) was directed to
have a follow-up meeting with the top candidate. Direction from the committee was
that if everything was acceptable, then the recommendation would be made to the
City Council for the applicant's appointment to the director of economic development
position.
Lori and I had a very positive lunch meeting and the interview team is
recommending Cathy Mehelich for the vacant director of economic development
position.
Recommendation
It is the recommendation of the interview committee that the City Council hire
Cathy Mehelich for the Elk River director of economic development position, and
that The Brimeyer Group, Inc. is directed to negotiate terms and conditions of
employment.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
CATHERINE A. MEHELICH
OBJECTIVE
To obtain an economic development position in that will allow me to utilize my knowledge
and understanding of financing resources and development processes for a variety of economic
development, redevelopment and housing development projects.
EDUCATION
TRAINING
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Local and Urban Affairs, May 1995
St. Cloud State University
Included courses in Economic Development Finance, Business Credit Analysis,
Real Estate Finance, and the Art of Deal Structuring
Publicorp Tax Increment Finance Seminar, 1999
MN State Auditor Tax Increment Finance Seminar, 1998, 1999
DTED Redevelopment & Contamination Clean-uP Seminars, 1998, 1999
Career Track Training - Conflict Resolution & Project Management, 1994
CAREER EXPERIENCE
Th~ ~e/ieral f~sPbn~ibilifi~ (~fth~ i/i~siti6ffi'~ifi~e knowledge of all aspects of economic development,
redevelopment and housing development. It requires an understanding of the complete development process
including planning and financing. It requires thorough knowledge of all financing tools and techniques
available including grants, loan funds, tax abatement, tax increment and SBA.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
,,~:~'~$upervise creation, modification and management of tax increment finance districts for
~lopment and economic development projects
,~'~ CoOrdinate successful recmi.~t~..~.t.. [n.~e~5~p~a~...~i9.m_~ 9~f se~v .er. al manufac ~tu~_.' ~ g .businesses
· -..Applica.ti.0n;awaf~Vaii'a~~.,fl°nlof~~'t t0"eig/ ..... ,
· Develop and maintain contacts with area businesses, state and federal agencies
· Serve as resource to developers to assist planning and describing available financial assistance
· Consult with small business start-up and expansions with SBDC ~ ~
· ~Feilitate :Community'.p~g~~,:.~0Wel6ii~ 'goals~
· Pi~kle~R~6~~-?.!e.'~!.._.op..m_.e~_.._C. 0rmmss~on- 199~,, 1999,. 20~-,.
· B6~tdin~Om~i'~s BusineSs Rc~oii~m'l~ ~ ~: 1999;'~000 .... ¥
HOUSING
· Supervise application and administration of successful SCDP grant for housing rehabilitation
· .. Coordina~'finaac.. ing;'d~.elgp~ :aiid'~~i~t 6fmodc~ateJncome'rental units,,
· Coordinate cr~.'.Offaii~:im'ifl~ti6ffofHomcbuildertnc~mtiv_e. OrantProgram-.~
· Initiate and coordinate development of new single-family reSidential subdivisions
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMF~NT
*:!5: Coordimte.downtownbm!: ding'fin. :fraStrU'~m:.c'!mprovcmen..t~' fimmdal gap mmlysi~ & design
· CoO~~~:.bu~ili~uding'red.w.¢l°Pm~iiBi~properties,
.new businesS:'~~nt~s~iS~i6ff.~tifl Ye~rali~ '6f disp~ii~inc~,
Page 1 of 1
Sandy Peine
From:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
· Coordinate development activities and communications with Chamber and community organizations
· Consult with storefront renovation projects promoting use of Chamber Beautification Renovation Grant
· Coordinate the acquisition, renovation, lease and sale of Small Business Incubator
· Assist with creation of MN Agricultural Innovation Center; design and finance
· Initiated creation and management of City of Olivia web site: www. olivia.ran.us
· Coordinate creation and use of community marketing booth and community signage; design & finance
· '~' Independent c°ntra~ foi'~/D~ifi6if'flmt ii~61Vcd all aspects of economic development, redevelopment,
and housing development
· Supervised creation of redevelopment tax increment finance district for business expansion
· Initiated and coordinated successful property annexations for business and residential development
· Initiated and coordinated community planning of MNDot expansion of Highway 23
· Initiated marketing of single-family residential subdivision
· Developed strategi6 workplan for downtown organization and committees
· Establish and manage the Heart of Virginia program and office
· Coordinate the promotional and redevelopment activities of the Heart of Vir~nia
· Build relationships with downtown stakeholders to develop a common vision
· Initiated formation of public-private partnership advisory committee
· Increased visibility of downtown and organization through media relations and newsletter
· Ongoing interaction and communication with downtown merchants and local officials
Informational updates and presentations to the Virginia City Council
Sauk centre Econor~i~; DevelOtmf~nt.Authortty;':~3195'~ SI95
· Developed partnerships with the downtown business community to establish a consensus regarding a
plan to improve parking and business facades at rear entrances
· Administered Small Cities Development grant funds for commercial and rental rehabilitations
· Designed a School-to-Work program with a team of professionals, interviewing local industry to assist
in the creation and execution of the program
· Assisted in various projects such as the development of prime interstate property, housing developments
and business expansions
St. ~'~[&~l;~z~town Council,-4/04 - 11/94. ~
Alexhndria'~4re a EconOmic D'evelb~nt Onnmission?'?/91"--5/92 ' .
· Demonstrated organizational skills by organizing and preparing financial accounts
· Assisted in research and organization of development projects
· Developed exposure to issues, resources and processes of economic development
5/10/00