HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06d] EDA Consulting Contract
November 20, 2012
Chair Dale Wick
St. Joseph EDA
Judy Weyrens
City Administrator, City of St. Joseph
25 College Avenue
PO Box 668
St. Joseph, MN 56374
Dear EDA Chair Wick, EDA Members, and Administrator Weyrens:
Over the previous eleven and a half years we have enjoyed working with the business community, City
Council, EDA, City Staff, and citizens on various economic development projects as the CityÓs Economic
Development Consultant. Although we are still plagued by a slow
tremendous potential for continued commercial and industrial gro
future. In 2012 we had the opportunity to work with the City, EDA, citizens, and a number of business
contacts on current plans/projects and those that are being planned for 2013. We feel consistency in
business contact and development is important.
In 2001, we entered into a contract for economic development consulting services and have continued to
provide contracted services through 2012. We are interested in continuing to assist the EDA and City with
economic development projects.
We wish to thank the City, the EDA, and staff for allowing flexibility in office hours over the past year. We
sincerely appreciate the willingness of elected and appointed officials to respond with flexibility to
personal challenges since my husband was diagnosed and succumbed
Foust as of January 1, 2013 will no longer be available to assist me with providing office hours. My
personal priority is raising my twin 14 year old boys. Activities at school, religious education, and
attending to the needs of teens have left me searching for a balance on Wednesday evenings.
To those ends IÓm kindly requesting consideration of an alternate scheduling arrangement for contract
year 2013 which could perhaps include on-site and off-site office hours, shorter on-site office hour days,
and/or a reduction in contracted hours. Our current contract rate is $2,200 for 35 hours of service per
month (420 hours per year) or $62.857 per contracted hour. The contract is for on-site office hours and
does not include mileage reimbursement which is usually $300-$400 per month.
The preliminary 2013 EDA budget holds the line in the Òprofessio
services. The proposed EDA budget reflects continued service at current levels. Our contract rate has
remained steady at $60/hour or $2,200/month since 2009. Please note our 2013 non-contract hourly rate
is $90/hour for principal and $75/hour for associate services.
I look forward to discussing the issue with you at the November
Thank you again for your consideration!
Cynthia Smith-Strack, Principal
Municipal Development Group, Inc.
25562 Willow Lane New Prague, MN 56071 (952) 758-7399 Fax: (952) 758-3711
staff@municipaldevelopmentgroup.com www.municipaldevelopmentgroup.com