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5.15. SR 06-03-1996ITEM 5.15. ~ty of E ver TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM Mayor & City Council Pat Klaers, City Administrator June 3, 1996 Director of Economic Development Selection Process The Task Force, working with the Brimeyer Group, has reached a consensus on the four finalists for the Director of Economic Development position. These four finalists will be interviewed by the Task Force on Wednesday, June 5, 1996, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Previous City Council direction was to bring forward one finalist for the position. Accordingly, the Task Force is expected to reach agreement after the interviews on the candidate of choice for this position. Following this decision, Jim Brimeyer will be instructed to negotiate an employment package (salary, vacation time, sick time, etc.) with the candidate according to the guidelines given to him by the Task Force. In this manner, it is anticipated that at the June 10, 1996, special City Council meeting, the finalist for the position will be formally presented to the City Council with a recommendation to hire in accordance with a negotiated employment package. In order to help ensure that the Council is comfortable with the candidates (two Councilmembers are on the Selection Task Force), the entire Council is invited to the interviews. In case their is a quorum present, it is appropriate for the Council to call a formal City Council meeting for Wednesday, June 5, 1996, at 1:30 p.m. For your information, the eight member Task Force will be split up into two different panels and each panel will interview all four candidates. The three Councilmembers that are not part of the Selection Task Force can sit in on the interviews conducted by either panel. The panels are not yet selected, but it is anticipated that the staff members will be split (Lori and I), the Councilmembers will be split (Hank and Larry), the EDA members will be split (Pat and Jeff), and the HRA and Chamber member will be split. Attached for your information is some material regarding the interviews to be held on June 5, 1996. council:intrvw 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 ~ r~5~5~ ~4501~ P. 01 The Brimeyer Group, . EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANTS 904 Malnstreet Suite Z05 Hopkins, MN 55343 May 22, 1996 Artn: Pat Klaers Attached are the names and address~ of the finalist candidates for the Economic Development Director. Please send them the following information: 1. List of Councilmembers, their terms, and professions. 2. Comprohensive Plan 3. Budget 4. Financial Statement 5. Bond Prospectus 6. Personnel Ordinance 7. City newsletter All candidates have bun notified and accepted. You may share the information on the four finalists from the Progress Report with the press, if they request. Thanks for your help. The Brimeyer Group (612) 945-0246 . tax t'612) 945-0102 DII~ECTOR OF ECONOMIC FINALISt CANDIDA~ Jim Gromberg 304 Ninth Ave. $ Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 307 North Third Montevideo, MN 56265 Paul Steinman 1605 Florida Ave. N. Golden Valley, MN 55427 Elmo Dowd 328 State Street Mankato, MN 56001 Wh: Brimeyer Group, EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANTS 904 Mainslreet Suite 205 Hopkins, MN 55343 CITY OF ELK RIVER DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Interview Schedule Wednesday, June 5, I996 10:00 10:15 to 11:45 Candidates arrive - meet with Consultant - City Hall Tour of City and facilities 11:45 1:00 to 5:00 Lunch - Candidates, Ci~ Administrator and Department Heads Interviews - City Hall 1:00 Interview panels meet with Consultant - review questions - determine format - discuss concerns PANEL A PANEL B iMeet with Department Heads. (optional) ~1:30 Steinman Gromberg Dowd 2:15 Oromberg Steinman Egge 3:30 Dowd Egge Steinman ,., 3:45 Egge Dowd Gromberg 4:30 Panels meet to review candidates; authorize Consultant to negotiate compensation package with preferred candidate; make recommendation to City Council. (§12) 945-0246 , fax (6~2) 945-0102 CANDIDATE: ELMO B. DOWD EDUCATION * Fellow, Humphrey Institute of Public Policy, Minneapolis MN - Present * Certified Economic Development Finance Professional - 1995 * M.A., Public Administration; Northern Illinois University, DeKalb - 1991 * Bachelor's Degree; Northern Illinois University, DeKalb - 1989 CURRENT POSITION Community Development Specialist/Associate Planner; City of Mankato, Planning and Development Services - 1991 to Present CURRENT COMPENSATION $37,000 PREVIOUS POSITIONS * Administrative Intern; Dekalb County Government, County Board, Sycamore, IL - 1990 to 1991 * Administrative Intern; DuPage County Department of Human Resources - 1989 to 1990 * Owner/Broker/Agent; Dowd Realty, North Aurora, IL - 1983 to 1990 PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS * Southern Minnesota Collaborative Consortium, Boardmember * Southeast Minnesota Initiative Fund Council on Collaboration, Advisory Boardmember * Mankato Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pathfinder Award Committee, Chairman CANDIDATE SUMMARY After attending college for several years, Mr. Dowd entered the military and, upon returning, worked as a Station Master for the Railroad Company. He then entered the family real estate business which he owned and operated for eight years. During this period of time he returned to complete his college education. He also worked nights at General Electric and also owned a catering business for six years called 'Smokin Brothers Ribs' which he eventfully sold in 1991. While completing his graduate degree he worked for DeKalb County Government as an Administrative Intern to the County Administrator. His duties included working with zoning changes, assisting the clerk's office, creating a property tax manual, and represented the County on the Economic Development Commission. For the past five years, Mr. Dowd has served as Community Development Specialist/Associate Planner with the City of Mankato reporting to the Community Development Director. In this position he supervises a total staff of 11, five of whom are graduate interns that serve for two years while finishing their degrees at Mankato State or other local universities. Mr. Dowd is responsible for staffing the Eastwood Industrial Center Development Corporation, conducting feasibility studies for companies seeking to locate in the community, negotiating property site acquisitions, conducting transit studies dealing with housing issues, and administering the City's business retention and growth program. He was responsible for and currently manages the City's incubator program. The City provides funding, training, subsidized rent, and central equipment and office support. They also sponsor workshops for individuals attempting to develop their business. He is extensively involved with business retention programs, primarily with face-to-face contacts and an annual business blitz. He makes an effort to visit every industrial owner annually and serves on the Advisory Board of the school business program. Downtown development efforts have included the acquisition and sale of all properties, involvement in the planning and visioning process, and the interim management of a semi- vacant mall which will soon be the home of the Mankato City Hall facilities. He has been involved in marketing programs including a Webb Page on the internet for the City of Mankato, working with the Valley Industrial Development Corporation, and serves on the Katoland Partnership. He is responsible for monitoring 21 TIF districts, is very familiar with individuals at DTED and has been successful in obtaining at least one grant per year for business expansions. He serves on an Advisory Board for the Initiative Fund and has written a number of grants. He uses a consultant for grant applications. He meets regularly with local bankers and leverages City money to do partnerships with local banks. He is involved in planning and zoning issues since it is part of the Community Development Department. Interns are responsible for completing planning and zoning reports. Currently, the City is building a Geographic Information System and Mr. Dowd is coordinating this project due to his strong computer background. He regularly attends City Council meetings and staffs the Real Estate Committee of the City Council. He is responsible for working with all departments including Public Works, Transit, and Planning and Zoning. Mr. Dowd is familiar with the strategic planning process, having facilitated a tri-city effort resulting in joint purchasing and street bidding materials. He was involved with the Cites of Elysian, Waterville, and Madison. He is active in regional and state affairs, speaks at NAHRO conferences, is on the Education Committee of EDAM, and regularly speaks on the visioning process. He is a participant in the Humphrey Institute Fellows Program which is a nine month executive leadership program. Mr. Dowd feels the Elk River position would be a good career move and he would like to get closer to the metro area. He learned about the opening on the internet and requested a copy of the Profile. CANDIDATE: JOEL T. EGGE EDUCATION * Certified Economic Development Financing Professional * Attended Willmar State Junior College cI.rlU~ENT POSITION * Executive Director; City of Montevideo Economic Development Authority/I-Iousing Commission - 1991 to Present CURRENT COMPENSATION $45,890 PREVIOUS POSITIONS * Chamber President and CEO; Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pueblo, CO- 1990 to 1991 * Chamber President and CEO/Industrial Developer; Alexandria Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB/Economic Development Authority; Alexandria, MN - 1987 to 1990 * Regional Manager/Executive Director; Minnesota Office of Tourism, Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, Brainerd Regional Office, MN - 1985 to 1987 * Owner, Sales and Service; Wlllmar Typewriter and Camera, MN - 1969 to 1984 PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS * National Development Council * Chamber Executives Association CANDIDATE SUIVIMARY For 15 years Mr. Egge owned and operated an office supply/business equipment/camera store with his family. After selling the business, he went to work for the Minnesota Office of Tourism responsible for coordinating regional tourism, marketing activities, and advertising in a regional publication. It was during this period of time that he performed as a freelance writer and promoter part-time. He later assumed the position of President/CEO of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce where he supervised a staff of 13 and was responsible for the activities of the Chamber, convention center, museum, and Economic Development Commission. He developed a $500,000 Revolving Loan Fund and increased the Chamber's budget to over $500,000. He received grants totalling almost $350,000. At the same time he wrote a book on successful management of non-profit organizations. In Mr. Egge's position in Pueblo, Colorado he supervised a staff of nine and reported to an 15 member Board. After a short period of time in this position he was asked to resign which was a result of a dispute between two very strong Boardmembers. He returned to Minnesota where he assumed the position of Executive Director of the Economic Development Authority/Housing Commission in Montevideo. He reports to a Board, two of whom are Councilmembers and five are appointed by the Mayor. He m_~nages a budget of $78,000. He is responsible for coordinating community development activities for the Montevideo area and writing and securing grants for housing and loan programs. He was successful in recruiting a Fortune $00 company - Jenny 0 Foods, which resulted in 150 jobs. He is responsible for selling property in the industrial park, putting together financial package programs, and working on major housing programs. He is responsible for business retention and concentrates on 27 companies in the area maintaining a very detailed database on those companies. He has been associated with a number of incubawr programs and has served in an advisory capacity to the Northwest Minnesota Initiative Fund and had a business/technical center in Pueblo. Mr. Egge has assisted in a number of projects in downtown areas including the writing down of interest and the purchasing of sites. In Montevideo an effort is being made to convert a vacant J.C. Penny building. He is involved in a variety of marketing activities including woridng with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and developing a marketing plan. He was recently recognized by DTED for marketing activities on a regional basis. Mr. Egge has used a variety of funding for projects including TIF, SBA loans, recently used for a new hotel, and grant applications to DTED, the Outdoor Recreation Program, and ISTEA through Mn/DOT. He was successful in obtaining 12 grants from the Heartland and Arrowhead Regional Tourism Office and four Economic Recovery Fund grants. He works very closely with the Planning and Zoning staff in Montevideo and is on the Steering Committee to revise the Comprehensive Plan. He makes all presentations on the Revolving Loan Fund to the City Council and to the County Board. Currently, he is working with the County Board to develop a Star County Program. He served on the Governor's Tourism Advisory Committee. Because of his location in City Hall, Mr. Egge works very closely with Engineering, Planning and Zoning, and all site plans are subject to City staff review. He stays current with regional development issues maintaining contact with business leaders in other cities, meeting quarterly with business leaders, and serves on the Western Minnesota Initiative Fund Advisory Committee. He has facilitated the strategic planning processes for other organizations. The City is currently involved in their annual strategic planning program. Mr. Egge is very interested in the Elk River position because of its proximity to the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. Both he and his spouse are in a position where they are ready to locate as their children have completed their college educations. He is under consideration for the position in Red Wing, however, prefers the Elk River position because he feels it represents more marketing opportunities and a chance to select more quality businesses. He is also looking at a position in Meeker County and with a private financial consulting fa-re. CANDIDATE: EDUCATION JAMES D. GROMBERG * B.A., Public Administration; St. Cloud State University - 1988 * M.A., Business Administration; St. Cloud State University - in progress CURRENT POSITION * Economic Development Coordinator/Project Manager; City of Ramsey, MN (pop. 17,000) - 1988 to Present CURRENT COMPENSATION $31,000 PREVIOUS POSITIONS * Finance Department Internship; City of Rarnsey, MN - 1988 Assistant Manager; Lancer Stores, Inc., St. Cloud, MN - 1986 to 1988 * Management Assistant;' Americanna Inn, St. Cloud, MN - 1981 to 1985 PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS * ICMA * Minnesota Planning Association * Anoka County Solid Waste Abatement Task Force. CANDIDATE SUMMARY While attending school, Mr. Gromberg served in Assistant Management positions at Lancers and the Americanna Inn. Upon graduation he received an internship in the Finance Department in the City of Ramsey. He soon moved into the position of Project Manager and eventually assumed the position of Economic Development Coordinator. In this position he works with local businesses, assists business to relocate, develops assistance packages, and works with the local area Chamber of Commerce on business expos and other promotions. He has been involved in a variety of projects including the purchasing and development of an industrial park of 100 acres. In conjunction with the local electric cooperative, an additional 135-acre industrial park was developed and has recently been made available for businesses. He has been involved in a successful incubator program including a 100% occupied, 50 bay facility - which has recently doubled in size. He assists local businesses in utilizing the City's economic assistant programs for facility improvement and expansion. Recent expansions have occurred in three local businesses. Mr. Gromberg's downtown experience is rather limited, however, a new bank is being constructed within the historic area next to City Hall. He is completing a study on the Hwy 47 corridor and is working with the City Administrator and several other communities on development plans for the Hwy. 10 corridor. Mr. Gromberg is familiar with a variety of funding options including Tax Increment Financing and obtaining small business SBA loans through the Central Minnesota Development Company. Two of the Tax Increment Financing districts are for redevelopment purposes along Hwy 10 and for the Anoka Electric Cooperative. He has been successful in obtaining demonstration grants through the Metropolitan Council and an historical grant to rehabilitate the old town hall. He works very closely with the Zoning Administration Department and acts as Zoning Administrator during his absence fi.om the office. He frequently makes presentations to the Economic Development Commission and to the City Council. He maintains contact with local businesses by seeing everyone at least once a year and, in conjunction with the Chamber, coordinates the Annual Business Appreciation Day and Business EXPO. He keeps apprised of regional development issues by talking to cities around the Anoka area and working with the Anoka Electric Cooperative. The Highway 10 Corridor project provides interaction with officials from adjacent cities. Mr. Gromberg is extremely interested in the Elk River position. He is fi.om St. Cloud and likes the Elk River location. He feels there are many similarities between Ramsey and Elk River and his Ramsey experience would be of benefit to the Elk River position. He is limiting his career search to a small area and currently is under consideration by the St. Croix Economic Development Parmership. CANDIDATE: PAUL T. STEINMAN EDUCATION * B.S., Business Administration and Mass Communication; North Dakota State University, Fargo- 1986 * Certificate: Economic Development Finance CURRENT POSITION * Economic Development Specialist; City of Hopkins, MN (pop. 16,000) - 1991 to Present CURRENT COMPENSATION $43,000 PREVIOUS POSITIONS * Economic Development Director; City of Big Lake, MN (pop. 3,700) - 1987 to 1991 Director; The Market Place, Devils Lake, ND - 1986 to 1987 PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS * EDAM * Minnesota Area Economic Development Council * HBCA * TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, Events Committee Chair CANDIDATE SUMMARY Mr. Steinman began his career as the Director of The Market Place in North Dakota where he was in charge of implementing the Main Street Four Point Approach to economic development. He accepted the position of Economic Development Director in Big Lake in the fall of 1987. In Big Lake he directed cooperative work efforts between the City and the Big Lake Economic Development Authority. He was responsible for the City's certification as a Minnesota Star City for Economic Development. In 1991 he assumed his present position in Hopkins. As Economic Development Specialist, Mr. Steinman reports to the Planning and Economic Development Director. He is responsible for assisting in economic development and redevelopment activities and managing the downtown parking system. His duties include structuring financial packages for business expansions and relocations and preparing RFPs. He negotiates with developers using City financed programs and administers the HRA Commercial Rehabilitation Loan/Grant Program, the Sign Rehabilitation Grant fund, and has recently received $500,000 from the state for a new arts facility. He has some involvement with the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund. He has extensively used Tax Increment Financing. Current projects on which he is involved include an arts facility, theater and restaurant complex and a 26,000 square foot office warehouse. Mr. Steinman has extensive strategic planning experience. He implemented a strategic plan for business retention including publishing a leasing guide of available properties. He wrote an Economic Development Plan for Hopkins which has been updated. He is fi'equently asked to write articles for the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, the HBCA and EDAM where he is very active. He also participates in a realtors group. Mr. Steinman is accustomed to making formal presentations to the City Council and the HRA. He had some involvement in Big Lake in the development of a business incubator program. His exposure to planning and zoning occurred in Big Lake where he worked with the Planning and Zoning Administrator and served as liaison to the department. Mr. Steinman is interested in securing a position in a growth area. He would like to be in a position to direct the total development effort rather than focus on the technical area.