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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[07] Community Development Director 11 Council Agenda Item 7 urry 01 S-ri JoSE"'10Ei MEETING DATE: November 16, 2015 AGENDA ITEM: Community Development Director SUBMITTED BY: Administration BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The EDA unanimously recommended the City Council hire a full time Community Development Director. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The City Council on November 2, by a vote of 2-3 voted to not hire a Full Time Community Development Director. The Mayor requested that those voting nay provide suggestions as to how the City will deliver economic development services. Suggestions were to be forwarded to the Administrator and the matter would be placed back on the agenda for November 16. (Note: no suggestions were received by the Administrator) BACKGROUND INFORMATION: There has been some confusion as to what the Community Development Director will do. The position would not just be EDA, but would encompass Planning and Joint Planning as well. The position would not just be marketing, as I would agree that is not a full time job, but is an important component of the Community Development Director. Land use planning is becoming labor intense. For the past number of years the findings, development agreements, memorandum of understandings and compliance letters are prepared in the City Office as it is more economical to have them reviewed by consultants rather than prepared by consultants. Reviewing plans for land use applications can require multiple submittals, and eventually they have to be compiled with information forwarded to the Planning Commission, EDA or City Council. Preparing information for packets is also time consuming. Planning would also include land use Ordinances and processes. We are in need of updating the processes, applications and some Ordinances but do not have the staff time to do so. The Comprehensive Plan update is also in need of updating and this could be facilitated and worked on by the CDD. The land use portion of the website needs to be updated as well and the GIS system needs work. There are currently a couple of developments that will involve platting and significant review and will be based on the extension of Field Street. The CDD would also attend the Planning Commission meetings and act as the Secretary, similar to what is done today. The City also has the lead on the Joint Planning Board which has the same amount of work as the City Planning. The City became the lead as it is to our benefit and the Township does not have the same resources as the City. The City is paid a nominal fee for land use applications, but they take more work than what fees are recovered. It is proposed that the Administrator will be the EDA Director, similar as in Sauk Rapids. This provides one more level of oversight and administration. The CDD would still be responsible for EDA duties to include business retention/expansion,program management, outreach, implementing community programs. The CDD would not be an employee of the EDA as it was in 2000;rather it would fall under the City like all other employees. The CDD could also assist with development projects of the City such as park projects, community center, and government center. The hiring process would have the personnel committee review and interview candidates and the top three could be presented to the City Council for interview and hire. BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: The budget for 2016 includes approximately S 95,000 to include wages and benefits. ATTACHMENTS: Request for Council Action Job Description REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Provide direction Community Development Director FLSA Status:Exempt General Definition of Work This individual is responsible for management, direction and accountability of planning and development functions, and economic and housing development activities, including, but not limited to: establishing and administering an economic growth plan for the city; development and administration of city planning policies and procedures; administration of planning projects; coordination of Planning Commission activities; verbal and written presentations and communications to Planning Commission and City Council and management and preparation of departmental budget. Essential Functions The following functions are intended only as illustrations of the various types of workperformed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. • Plan, organize and direct the activities of planning and development including development of departmental goals and objectives. • Direct and administers development of long-range plans, work programs and marketing strategies for economic development activities and growth for the city. Directs promotion of city to business and industry. Contacts prospective business and industry. Contacts prospective businesses to encourage expansion and/or relocation to the city. • Directs facilitation of businesses in relocation or expansion within the city by providing necessary assistance including compiling of financial packages and providing research and technical information. • Participates, as necessary, in community-related activities and organizations to promote the city and serves as representative in economic and housing development efforts. Represents department with other city officials, governmental agencies, developers and general public in a manner that will ensure the best interests of the city. • Coordinates and directs activities and meetings for the Planning Commission and serves as staff liaison between commission and city officials. • Coordinates activities and meetings for the Joint Planning Board and serves as staff liaison to the board. • Coordinates activities and meetings for the EDA under the direction of the EDA Director. • Directs the development, revision and administration of the city's comprehensive plan and recommends modifications to the comprehensive plan. • Meets with developers, citizens and neighborhood groups, as necessary, to discuss planning issues in an attempt to inform and/or resolve concerns and complaints. Investigates and responds to citizen complaints and requests for information. • Directs redevelopment projects including designing and implementing strategies. Reviews developer's proposals and negotiates agreements with developers. • Administers and supervises grants and other special purpose grant applications and programs. • Monitors progress of all department functions and reviews and evaluates final results for consistency with city policies, goals,procedures and codes. • Performs other duties assigned by the City Administrator/EDA Director. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Extensive knowledge of community development programs and process, and the typical operations of a community development director • Ability to think in a creative and strategic manner, to develop alternatives and specific program proposals to achieve effective results consistent with community goals. • Thorough knowledge of how to formulate, implement and apply comprehensive plans and specials studies related to community development issues. • Thorough knowledge of how to develop, interpret and apply development regulations, and to conduct code enforcement activities. • Familiarity with engineering and building construction principles and concepts. • Familiarity with geographic information systems, and how to utilize them in the operation of community development. • Ability to analyze situations and information, formulate alternatives, and use sound judgement in drawing conclusions and making decisions. Ability to develop a course of action and maintain momentum to reach successful conclusions in a variety of program areas. • Ability to communicate orally and in writing with design professionals, contractors, developers, business people,property owners, citizens, elected and appointed officials, and the general public; ability to produce effective presentations and reports including research, synthesis of information, preparing text, graphs, charts and graphics. Ability to write clearly, concisely and legibly. • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the Administrator, department heads and staff members, Council and Commission members, citizens,property owners, developers and others. • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. • Ability to handle stressful situations and effectively deal with difficult or angry people. Education and Experience • Education from a four-year college or university with a degree in land-use planning, urban planning,public administration or a closely related field. Preference will be given to candidates with an advanced degree in urban planning, landscape architecture or a closely related field. • A minimum of three (3)years of progressively responsible community development work. • Municipal experience preferred. Physical Requirements This work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data,visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work is generally in a moderately noisy location(e.g. business office with typewriters and/or computer printers, light traffic). Job Classification Class 10 Salary Range—January 2015 S 55,620 - S 75,692 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.