5.2. SR 01-11-1999
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Item 5.2.
River
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Admi~tor
January 11, 1999
DATE:
SUBJECT: Update on Hiring Process for the
Director of Planning and the Economic
Development Assistant Positions
Jim Brimeyer (The Brimeyer Group, Inc. - Executive Search Consultants)
was hired by the city to assist us in the search' and selection of a director of
planning. Additionally, Jim is working for us in the search of viable
candidates for the economic development assistant position. Attached for
your review is the timetable for these two searches.
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In the search for the economic development assistant, Jim's services end
when the resumes that he has received and screened are forwarded to the
EDA for their consideration. At that point, unless the EDA requests
additional help from Jim, it will be up to city staff to interview and select the
top candidate. On the other hand, with the director of planning search, Jim
guides us all the way through the process with interviews being tentatively
scheduled for early April.
Also attached for your information is the draft of the director of planning
position profile with the economic development assistant information
contained on the last page. The profile needs some changes and updating as
this draft was based on the 1996 Director of Economic Development profile. I
am not sure what Jim's strategy will be for circulating this information to the
appropriate candidates, but initially we had talked about making sure that
our director of planning candidates also received the economic development
assistant information and vice versa.
Jim will be in attendance at this City Council meeting to receive feedback
from the Council on the position profile and to review with us the search and
selection process.
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13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330. TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425
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The Brimeyer Group, Inc.
EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANTS
1217/98
12/9 to 1/3/99
1/8/99
1/11/99
1/11 to 2/14/99
2/15/99
3/1/99
2/17 to 3/10/99
3/15/99
3/17 to 3/31/99
4/1 and 4/2/99
May, 1999
City of Elk River
Director of Planning
and
Assistant Director of Economic Development
904 Mainstreet
Suite 205
Hopkins, MN 55343
Suggested Search Timetable
Authorization to Proceed
Gather Information for Profile
Interview Council, staff, community, etc.
Place Announcement(s)
Approve Profile(s)
Recruit Candidates
Deadline for Applications
Forward resumes to the EDA
(Assistant Director of Economic Development)
Review and Screen Candidates for Planner
Progress Report and Selection of Finalists for Planner - (City
Council/City Administrator)
Background and Reference Check
Interviews - for Director of Planning (City Council, Planning
Commission, and Staff)
Start Date
The meetings for which the Council and Administrator need to be present are underlined in the above
timetable.
(612) 945-0246 · fax (612) 945-0102
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DRAFT
DRAFT
Elk River
Where city and country flow together...
LOGO
City Planner - Position Profile
The Community
The City of Elk Biver is located on H-,vys. #169 and #10 wirhin a thirty minute drive time to the Twin
Cities metropolitan area. or to St. Cloud. The City is situated at the confluence of the Mississippi River
and the Elk River creatine a peaceful setting for 17,000 residents. Elk River serves as the county seat of
Sherbume County. Sherburne County is currently one of the fastest arowiDz counties in the State of
Minnesota.
COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT
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Tbe City's historic downtowD. is active and vital with retail and b~ serving customers from Ellc
River and the surrounding areas. In addition, substantial cnmmncial and retail development has taken
place along the H"tghway 169 corridor and the Highway 10 corridor. There is excellent potential for
additional retail and industrial development. Several industrial sites are located adjacent to major
transportation links and house a variety of industries.
Great River Energy is the City's largest taX payer, employing SOO workers and S\lpplying electricity to 15
distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 1988, the company constructed a receiving and
storage builciing which bas since become part of the Anoka County :Resource :Recovery Facility.
Municipal solid waste is brought to the facility from five counties and recycled ot processed for fue.l.. A
$2.2 million expansion of the plant was completed in 1993.
Numerous manufacturing companies are located within the City's seven industrial parks with capacities of
up to 120-acres. The Elk: River Industrial Park covers SO-acres and is fully developed. A new business
park of over 40 acres will be developed in 1999. Over the past seven years. annual commercial and
industrial constIuction values bave been approximately SlO.5 million.
In 1994, in:fnlstructure improvements supported the development of a 310,000 square foot retail center on
a 52-acre site. Tenants include Target, Cub Foods, Taco Bell, First National Bank of Elk River, and
NolW'est Bank.. A more recent development is Hillside Crossing - a 14-acre commercial !tite housing Sax
Food and Dru~. A 160,000 squ.are-foot Mtmards, Applebee's Rtstaurant, Holiday Gas Station and
Convenience Store, and a second building for L&W Liability Co. have recently been consb:Uctec1. An.
additional 300,000 to 500,000 square feet of retail space is anticipated to be available by 2000.
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Recent expansions have occurred at Time Out Sports Bar and RestaW'BIlt, In4~peI1dent School District
728, Central Lutheran Church, Fairview Hospital and Healthcare Services, Sherbume County
Courthouse, Bank of Elk River, and the Guardian Angels nursing facility. A commercial center was
constructed between ilie Holiday Store and Applebee's. Industrial expansions have occurred at Shiely
Masonry. E&,O Tool and Plastics, Morrell Transfer, Barton Sand and Gravel, Metropolitan Gravel,
Weicht and Associates, and Plaisted Companies.
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RESIDENTIAL D.EVELOPMENT
In 1997, five developments carried a majority of the residential activity. Cherrywood Hills is a 66-lot
development with 46 lots being developed in Phase I. The second phase is a rural subdivisiOll of 40
acres divided into 14 lots. Lafayette Woods is in the second phase of developing 51 single family lots.
Country Crossing received final plat approval to complete the remaining 24 lots. In all, the development
has 202 single family lots and 62 townhouse units. Urban lots in 1997 outnumbered rural lots 162 to 27.
A new 600-unit housing Sllbdivision was recently approved by the City CoD11cil and will provide the
community with additional bousing options over the next three to five years.
EDUCATIONIHEALTH CARE
The City's largest employer is Independent School District 728 with 600 employees. The School District
serves nearly 8,000 students. The public school system includes a high school, two junior high schools,
and seven elementary schools. Five parochial schools serve students from K-12. Community Education
offers many classes for children and adults. In additiOll, a technical college and a commuoity college are
located Dearby and universities are found in Minneapolis aDd St. Cloud.
A regioual hospital located in Coon Rapids is wilhin a IS minute drive. Medical, den.tal, optometric,
chiropractic, and veterinary facilities are found within the community. The Rum River Medical Clinic is
comprised of IS family practice physicians. The Guardian Angels long-term care facility serves the
. n.eeds of the elderly md includes a 36-unit apartment buildin.g for moderate income clients.
PARKS AND RECREATION/COMMUNITY EVENTS
Elk: River maintrins 13 pub and a State park is located in the area. Lake Orono offers residents a
variety of recreatioua! water activities. A srand 4th of July celebxatiOll is held at Orono Park on the
lake. Events include music, family games, food, and a water ski show. A fireworks display ends the
day. The Sherburne County Fair is an annual SUTJ11IleI event wbich featUres a parade, rides, and exhibits.
Among the many organizations and clubs available to join are the Art Guild, Arts Council, Community
Band and ChoI1lS, Land of Lakes Choirboys, and the Elk River CommUIlity Th~er. A variety of active
fraternal and service organizations are available. Also serving the commUDity is the Elk River Public
Libmy which is part of the Great River Regional Library.
CITY SERVICES
The City of Elk River was incorporated in 1890 and was consolidated in 1977 with Elk River Township.
At 44-square miles, the City represents the third larg~t municipality in land mass in MiDnesoca. The
governing body consists of a Mayor, elected at large, and four Councilmembers. Tbe City employs a
total of 62 full-time personnel and 37 part-time workers. The general fund budget fOt" 1998 was $4.9
million.
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Police protectiOll is provided by IS sworn officers. a 19 member reserve force, and three community
service.officers. The 35 member volunteer Fire Department is headed by a fuU-timeFire Chief. The
Fire Department also responds to medical emergencies and supplements the local ambulance service.
The City owns and operates an off-sale liquor store.
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The City of Elk: :River offers mUDicipal sewer and water services. The unmicipal Wa!Cr supply is drawn
from a series of wells. The storage capacity exceeds 2 million gallons. The wastewater treatment plant
has a current capacity of over 1 million gpd and can accommodate 2.2 gpd. Electrical power is
distributed through the Elk River Municipal Utilities and the Anoka Electric Cooperative. The City of
Elk: River contracts through private hauleR to provide weekly ICfusc service and biweekly recycling
services.
In 1980 the City established a Housing and Redevelopment Authority. In 1988 the City established an
Economic Development Authority which is charged with promoting the City's development efforts.
The Planning Department
Th.e PIllDDing Department prepares staff reports along with pertinent information for the Park and
Recreation Commission. These reports assist the Commission in making recoIDIDeDdations on plats and
other development requests having park and recreation issues. Recommendations from the Park and
Recreation Commission are chen forwarded to the Planning Commission and the City Council.
In 1997. the City Council adopted an ordinance designating the Planning Commission to act as the Board
of Adjustmems to review applications and appeals relating to zoning ordinances. The Board approves or
denies variance requests. If clenied, an automatic appeal bas been incorporated to continue applications
forward to the City Council. The Planning Commission met as the Board of Adjustments eight times
during 1997 and reviewed a total of 21 variance requests.
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The Position
The City Planner repom to the City Administrator and is respons1ole for coordinating activities relating
to sbort and long range planning and planning and zoning issues, and ~;upeIVises a planning staff of three.
Specific: duties include:
. Wolk with others to develop and administer tbe City's Comprehensive Plan. Develop or update
portions of the Comprehensive Plan. .
. Administer the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance and provide interpretation and updates.
. Coordinate activities for the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustments.
. ReView developmtnt plans and requests.
. Provide and obtai.o planning advice and/or information from citizens, civic groups, developers,
neighborhood groups. commissiOlJS. and the City Council.
. Assist in developing and monitoring the Department budget.
. Perform personnel activities includine staff training, scheduling of employees and volunteers, and
performance evaluations.
Background and Experience
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Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or related field and a 1I1iniTTI111T\ of
five years experience in municipal planning, as a Department Head or in a responsible staff position
within a large Planning Department. 'The qualified candidate will. possess;
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. Background in commercial and industrial development.
. Understanding of zoning issues to create an appropriate mix of land uses. F'lTn,1ia:nty with land
reclamation issues, enviIonmental issues, and wility extensions.
. Orientation towards parle and open space plamUng. Xnowledie of park acquisition, development, and
dedication procedures.
. Short and long range planning skills. Experience in Comprcb.e.usive Plannini.
. Exposure to a political enviroIllDCl1t and an undersranding of the ramifications of the political
process.
. Knowledge of code enforcement, variances, ordinances. conditional use permits, and setback
requirements. Site plan review and development experience.
. Ability to model ordinances to correspond to various tJSeS.
. Some exposure to school planning and facilities development.
. Experience with new residential developments within traditional subdivisions and incoIporating
alternative concepts (e.g., cluster housing, mixed uses, etc.) Experience in residential
redevelopment including housing pro&ramS and renovation of older neighborhoods.
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. Understanding of transportation issues. rail development and pedestrian bike/trail installations.
. Skill in using technology for presentation puxposes.
Management Capabilities
. Enjoy raking an active and visible role in the community.
. Be mticipatory of events and plan for eventualities. Avoid surprises with new policies and
developments.
. Be able to work effectively at all levels and with all types of developers.
. Provide clear and complete oral and written reports. Furnish both sides of every issue and provide
recom.mendations. .Be able to understand and communicate all requirements to developers.
. Streamline the development process. Encourage a clear flow of information to the staff. Work
closely with bWlding inspection and zoning functions.
. Play a consultive role in helping people understand the process and the steps involved in
development. Include the neighborhood and affected areas early on the process.
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. Cooperate within development guidelines as defined by the Strategic Plan. Display flexibility within
the $COpe of ordinances and acknowledge the Comprehensive Plan as a "guiding" plan.
. Promote strong relationship between the schools and the City. Work with tbe schools on planning
for appropri~ growth pattems.
. Establish methods for gatherini community opinion.
. Undersrand City initiated projects VetSl1S developer initiated projects.
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Position Priorities
. Explore ancI define areas for well planned growth. Work with the Planning Commission to a'Urn'"A
goals and d~e1op a five to leD. year plan for future development.
. Become familiar with the pertinent chapters of the Comprehensive Plan. to facilitate update.
. Get to know corm:mmity leaders and representatives from the City's various service clubs, the
Chamber of Commerce, BRA. and EDA.
. Explore the feasibility of:
- Creating transit stops in the community
- Developing a Master Plan for utilities
- Adding an additional Business Park
- Modernizing sign standards
. Participate in developing a plan to renovate the downtown.
. Develop design srandards and architectural controls for existing and new developmenrs.
. Develop ways to utilize open areas.
. Review SlaWS of cu:mnt Conditional Use Permits.
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Announcement
City Planner; City of Elk River, MN (pop. 17,000). starting salary range $48,000 to $56,000. Position
is respow,ible for city planning activities including short and Ion; range planning, presentations to
PlllIlDiDg Commission and City Council, Comp. Plan implementation and updates and supervision of
department and staff of three. Require Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or related. field and five
years experience in municipal plSDDing, as a Department Head or in a responsible staff position within a
large PISDDing Department. Send resume by 2/15/99 to: James L. Brimeyer, The Brimeyer Group
Executive Search, 904 Mainstreet #205. Hopkins, MN 55343, (612) 945-0246, fax: (612) 945-0102,
E-mail: BrimGroup@aol.com
Timetable
2/15/99
3/15/99
Deadline for Application
Presentation of Candidates
4/1 and 4/1/99
Interviews, Selection
May. 1999
Start Date
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Assistant Director of Economic Development
The Position
The Assistant Director of Economic DeVelopment reports directly to the Director of Economic
Development and is respousible to assist in economic developmeo.t activities fOt' the City.
Background and Experience
Candidates for the Assistant Director position should possess a four year degree and 1-3 years experience
in economic development.
Qualified candidates should have knowledge of andlor experience in:
... Industrial and c:ommercial developmenL
... Dowutown development and expansion compatible with peripheral growth.
:I< Ma%ketiq and promotion.
... Business recruitment.
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... H0usia.2 Proirams.
'" Creating incentives and financini packages.
... Familiarity with growth issues.
Priorities
... Create marketing recbniques to promote and :fill the BusiDess Park.
... Take advantage of the growth occurring in the community to manage and control development needs.
... Become familiar with the Comprehensive Plan.
Announcement
Assistant Director of Economic Development; City of Elk River, MN (pop. 11,000). Starting salary
range $35,000 to $40,000. Position reports to Director and assists in industrial, commercial, retail, and
office development. Qualified candidates should possess a four year degree and 1 to 3 years e~perience
involving economic development activities. Sand resume by 2/15/99 to The Brimeyer Group Executive
Sea.TChj 904 Mainstrcct #205; Hopkins, MN 55343; (612) 945-0246, fax: (612) 945-0102, B-mail:
BrimOroup@aol.com
Timetable
.. 2/15/99 Deadline for Application
3/1199
Provide Rewmes of Qualified Candidates to IDA