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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [07] Jul 11Official Minutes- EDA Board Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Economic Development Authority for the City of St. Joseph met in Special Session on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Board Members Ross Rieke, Mike Deutz, Bob Loso, Larry Hosch and Bruce Gohman. EDA Director Chad A. Carlson. Others Present: Al Rassier and Judy Weyrens, City Administrator Special EDA Meeting -EDA Director Resignation Gohman opened the EDA Board meeting by stating the intent of the meeting was to accept the resignation of Chad Carlson as the EDA Director and focus the next steps of the EDA to fill the position left vacant. Loso made a motion that the EDA for the City of St. Joseph accept the resignation of Chad Carlson as the EDA Director. The motion was seconded by Rieke. The motion passed unanimously by those present. St. Joseph Economic Development Authority Board Members continued the meeting discussing the next steps to replace Carlson and options to fill the Director position. The Board Members discussed options of hiring a consultant in the interim until a replacement can be found. Carlson suggested the consultant option would be a good idea to help the current projects move forward. Carlson stated that Ed Tschida, Advance Resources for Development, has knowledge of current projects and is willing to assist the City temporarily until a replacement is found Mayor Hosch suggested that the City create a hiring committee with members of the EDA, City Council, and City Clerk to fill the vacancies of the EDA Director and Finance Director. Hosch further added that the city office staff and the positions of the EDA Director need to be reorganized and job descriptions reviewed to accurately reflect the work being completed. Deutz stated that the EDA Board suggested that the position of the EDA Director be reorganized two years ago. Carlson has been performing duties that aze not in the EDA Director's job description. Does the EDA Board want an EDA director or community development director? Cazlson added that the EDA Board should decide if they want an EDA or Community Development Director. The positions are entirely different, but can be combined if the person is flexible. The EDA Board discussed the revision of the EDA Director position and the possible combination of the EDA/Finance position. Members of the EDA Board were divided regazding the combination of this position. Gohman requested that the EDA Board come to a consensus regarding the vacancy of the director position. Dces the EDA Board feel the position should be filled? Deutz made a motion to recommend that the City Council and the EDA Board fill the position of the Economic Development Director to meet the goals and objectives adopted by the EDA Board. The motion was seconded by Rieke. Discussion: Loso suggested that the EDA Board and Weyrens meet to review the EDA Director job description _. at the next meeting. Deutz added that other city staff needs to facilitate the EDA Board meetings. Weyrens stated that she will take care of the meetings until a replacement is found. She suggested that the Board Members come to the next meeting with suggestion regarding the job description. The motion was passed unanimously by those present. Carlson stated that he will have summary sheets completed on each active project for the EDA Board to use after his departure. Carlson further added his concern with projects falling through without a contact at the City Office and again suggested the use of a wnsultant. The EDA Board Members again discussed the use of a consultant on a special project basis. Hosch suggested that Gohman and Weyrens could handle the day to day activities until a replacement is found Deutz expressed his concern with giving Weyrens more duties in addition to her current duties as the City Administrator. Loso made a motion that Gohman and Weyrens handle the day to day activities in the interim and Weyrens obtain quotes from consultants for the EDA Board to review prior to the neat meeting. The motion was seconded by Rieke. Discussion: Deutz stated that he wants a consultant hired immediately to ensure projects that are moving forward are handled and will not fall through the cracks. He urged the EDA Board to hire Advanced Resources for Development as they are aware of the current projects. The budget is capable of covering the expense until a Director is found The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Gohman, Rieke, Loso, and Hosch Nays: Deutz Weyrens suggested that the EDA Board meet next week to review the job description, review consultant proposals, and accept the final report of Carlson. The EDA Board agreed to meet July 19, 2001 at 4:OOp.m. in City Hall. Gohman expressed his concern of the EDA Board not creating a time line in getting the position filled. If a date is not set, the position will not be filled or a decision by the City Council to fill the position will not be made. Deutz made a motion to have the EDA Board and City Council fill the Economic Development Director position by the 15`s of September, 2001. The motion was seconded by Rieke. The motion was passed unanimously by those present. Adjourn The EDA Board meeting adj. consensus at 5:15 p.m. ~- , Chad Carlson -- EDA Director