6.8. SR 03-01-1993
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ITEM 6.8.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
PATRICK KLAERS, CITY AD~TOR
FEBRUARY 26, 1993 ~
ZONING ASSISTANT POSITION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
As the City Council has previously been advised, Zoning
Assistant, Janelle Schmitz, has resigned and accepted a
position with the City of Brooklyn Park. With this vacancy and
the possibility of some of the Recycling Coordinator's duties
being shifted away from his position (i.e. billing), plus with
the City relocating to new offices, it seemed like an
appropriate time to review the reorganization concept in the
building and zoning area as discussed at the 9/24/90 City
Council meeting. There are no minutes from this meeting, but
the tape from this City Council discussion is still available
for any Councilmember that is interested in reviewing the
discussion from 1990 (it was about a one hour discussion).
The work load in the building and zoning area is picking up,
which is typical during the spring season, and it does not seem
appropriate to delay a decision much longer in terms of
advertising for a Zoning Assistant position, looking at
reorganization of the entire department, or to slightly adjust
the Zoning Assistant position and elevate it to some thing on
the order of Assistant City Planner (with elevated
responsibility and pay). Any number of a wide range of options
are available for the City Council in fulfilling this
position. The City has a definite need for someone to fulfill
Janelle's responsibility in code enforcement and in monitoring
applications and conditional uses and variances, etc. We
definitely need someone near the entry level position to go out
and inspect sign complaints, junk vehicle complaints, screening
of dumpster concerns, and other nuisance type issues. Also,
the City definitely h~s the need for a higher level planning
position to review plats as they are proposed and to work on
the long range planning issues for the ultimate development of
Elk River. Steve Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, has
been doing this type of work for the City since he was promoted
to that position in 1985. An example of the long range
planning issues include a overall review of the City
Comprehensive Plan later in 1993.
Councilmember Holmgr~n is the only remaining elected official
from the September, 1'90, City Council meeting and I will be
asking for Roger to update the current City Council on the
reorganization discussion that took place a few years ago. If
the reorganization appears favorable to the City Council, but
not at this time, the opportunity for reorganization is not
lost forever. There will always be another opportunity to
reorganize the City administrative departments, although,
reorganization at a time of a vacancy is always easier than
when all of the positions are filled.
720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 (612) 441-7420