Agenda - Council - 09/09/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 4. 12. Meeting Date: 09/09/2014 By: Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Information Title Adopt Resolution #14-09-183 to Restructure Administrative Services Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to request the City Council to authorize restructuring the Administrative Services Department as directed (by consensus) at the August 26, 2014 work session discussion. Please see the attached DRAFT minutes for details of the August 26, 2014 discussion, case 2.03 page 4. At the August 26, 2014 work -session, City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the case as follows: The City's Economic Development Manager submitted his letter of resignation, and his last day of employment will be September 12. The purpose of this case is to consider the alternatives for the continued performance of the duties of this position once it is vacated. Strategic economic development is defined as one of the primary goals in the City's Strategic Plan. Based upon this priority, the current Economic Development Manager position was authorized, and hired in October of 2013, after a lengthy search process. It is anticipated that economic development will continue to be a high City priority for the foreseeable future. Since hiring the position in 2013, a number of important strategic initiatives have been completed. Among those items were: • Re -structuring of the COR TIF District 14 in order to meet the City's revenue goals for the District and to increase the amount of land in the general tax base. • Adopted an "exit strategy" for the COR properties which included a market -based pricing schedule and listing with a professional real estate broker, CBRE. • Progress toward the sale and development of a number of other key City properties such as the old Municipal Center, the 167th/Hwy 47 Commercial node, and a new business park on the west side of Armstrong. Of course, a number of business development, retention, and recruitment functions continue to be done by the City on a regular and on -going basis. In addition, at the August 26, 2014 work -session, City Administrator Ulrich discussed options for addressing the upcoming Economic Development Manager vacancy. Councilmember Riley was unable to attend the work -session; however, he was briefed at the September 2, 2014 work -session. By consensus, the City Council agreed to and directed staff to proceed with Mr. Ulrich's option #2 as follows: 2. Re -assign duties to existing staff and make internal adjustments as necessary (recommended). Advantages: Cost savings in payroll by hiring different positions at a lower pay level. Promotional opportunities are offered to existing staff who have demonstrated value to the organization. A continuity of service is provided if the work is picked -up by someone knowledgeable of the community. Disadvantages: Economic Development will be the major focus of this position, however, the job will still have some administrative duties. Also, the City may incur some additional consultant costs for professional services, but it is expected that any additional costs will still be within the City's existing professional services budget, or charged back to developers.