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-12- <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec and ChairPerson Anderson. Voting No: None <br /> <br />Case #8: Up~,rade City Planner Position to Senior Planner <br /> <br />Human Resources Manager Heryla stated that on September 5, 2000, staff reviewed with <br />Council the difficulties experienced in recruiting and hiring a City Planner. At that. meeting, <br />Council agreed to offer a higher salary to Aaron Buffington if necessary to secure his <br />employment as a City Planner; however Mr. Buffington declined. Considering the alternatives, <br />staff is recommending recruiting a Senior Planner in the hopes of drawing a larger pool of <br />qualified applicants to meet the needs of' the Community Development Department. At this point <br />in time, staff does not believe that re-advertising the City Planner position would yield better <br />results than the previous recruitment measures. Both the Human Resources Manager and the <br />City Administrator have contacted other municipalities who have recently recruited City <br />Planners. Their results have been similar to Ramsey's in that they have received few applicants <br />from mostly inexperienced candidates. With this in mind, the alternatives are to hire a consultant <br />or recruit a Senior Planner. Because of the need in Community Development to handle daily <br />responsibilities, including being accessible to citizens or contractors to answer questions and <br />address concerns, staff recommended recruiting a Senior Planner versus hiring a consultant. A <br />Senior Planner would give more adequate backup to the Community Development Director and <br />her staff. Furthermore, the addition of a Senior Planner at this point in time will allow for <br />progression along a learning curve including familiarity with the challenges facing the City of <br />Ramsey prior to lifting the building moratorium and the resulting increase in development <br />inquires and community concerns. According to the 2000 Stanton Survey, the average salary <br />range from Group 6 cities for a Senior Planner is between $42,144 and $54,384. In Group 5 <br />cities, the average salary range is between $47,232 and $59,844. With minimum requirements of <br />6-8 years of experience and an advanced degree, this is considered a professional level position <br />and would, therefore, not be considered part of the union. <br /> <br /> i <br /> I <br />-I <br /> <br /> i <br />i <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen suggested that staff should use a Consultant on a temporary basis to <br />assist the Community Development Department while they are .in the process of recruiting a <br />Planner. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman inquired why the City would need a Senior Planner at this 'time <br />when they have already spent $100,000 on writing a Comprehensive Plan for the City. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman replied that the Community Development Director would prefer to <br />hire someone With experience so that they could immediately help her with the work flow. <br /> <br />Councilmember Connotly' stated that staff should consider work experience in lieu of advance <br />degree when advertising for the position. <br /> <br />Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to recorm~end that City <br />Council upgrade the City Planner position to a Senior Planner position and authorize staff to <br /> <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />t <br />I <br /> <br />Personnel Committee/September 13, 2000 <br /> Page 6 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />