08-01-2005 CC MIN - SPECIAL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, AUGUST I, 2005
Members Present:
Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Morin, Farber, and Gumphrey
Members Absent:
None
Staff Pres en t:
City Administrator Pat Klaers
Also Present:
Greg Albrecht, Sathe Executive Search
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at approximately 7:40 p.m. by Mayor I<linzing.
2. Consider Candidates for Community Development Director Position
Greg Albrecht, Sathe Executive Search, reviewed the process that had been completed in the
search for a community development director for the City of Elk River. The qualifications
of the top three candidates were reviewed. The top three candidates that were interviewed
by the City Council on July 25, 2005, are R. lYfichael Leek, Stephen Rohlf, and Scott Clark.
Council discussion took place regarding the need for the position, some of the duties and
responsibilities of the position, and some of the goals for the position.
Mayor Klinzing stated her support for candidate Stephen Rohlf, specifically siting his City of
Elk River experience, background, and knowledge of the community. Councilmember
Gumphrey concurred "\Vith the Mayor regarding Stephen's expertise but stated that he
believes the city needs proven community development expertise and new ideas to attract
additional industrial and commercial development and to manage redevelopment activities.
MOVED BY MAYOR KLINZING TO HIRE STEPHEN ROHLF AS THE CITY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND TO DIRECT MR.
ALBRECHT AND THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS
FOR AN EMPLOYMENT PROPOSAL. The Motion died for lack of a second.
Councilmember Morin stated that he believed that no one internally was truly qualified for
the community development director position. :Mr. Morin noted that :Mr. Rohlf is likel~y the
best in his field at what he does in environmental work and in managing the Building
Department but that he felt the needs of the community are highest in the economic
development area and that this is where the outside candidates offer the most experience.
:Mr. Morin indicated that he supports more cross-training of employees bet\veen
departments. :Mr. Morin stated that he supports Scott Clark for the position of community
development director.
City Council Minutes
.i\Ugust 1, 2005
Page 2
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ AND SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO HIRE SCOTT CLARK AS THE CITY OF ELK
RIVER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
The Council directed Mr. Albrecht and the City Administrator to begin negotiations with
1\1r. Clark for his employment with the city. The Council also briefly discussed their concern
with the soon-to-be vacancy in the Planning Department due to the resignation of the
Director of Planning, and how quickly this vacancy should be addressed. The City
i\dministrator indicated that it would be best to allow :Mr. Clark to begin employment with
the city to evaluate the planning workload and needs before making a decision on filling this
vacancy.
3. _Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor I<linzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 8:33 p.m.
J]I~ j) J:I~
Pat I<Jaers
City Administrator