Minutes - Council Work Session - 08/26/2014

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this is what makes a community and this Program will take Ramsey to the next level by educating residents to not wait for the help, but to be the help through this training. Officer Platz encouraged Ramsey to become the second certified City in Anoka County . and stated he will join Mr. Hoffman in training. City Administrator Ulrich stated he does not see that this Program would require a lot of staff time, noting it fits well into the current Work Plan and can be taken on incrementally because it will leverage the volunteer community. He stated staff will also be asked to volunteer and a formal report will be presented at a future Council meeting. Mayor Strommen again thanked Mr. Hoffman and Officer Platz for attending tonight's Work Session and providing this information. The consensus of the Council was to support staff researching resources needed to become a Heart Safe Community. 2.02: Further Discussion of 2015 Proposed Budget and Levy This Case was considered following Case 2.03. 2.03: Administrative Department Restructuring City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the staff report, noting Economic Development Manager LaFrance has submitted his letter of resignation effective September 15, 2014. He explained the purpose of this case is to consider the alternatives for the continued performance of those duties once it is vacated and the option to restructure the Administrative Department. City Administrator Ulrich presented options for consideration: 1) To not fill the position and reduce or eliminate economic development duties as a priority; 2) To reassign duties to existing staff and make internal adjustments as necessary; or, 3) To conduct an external recruitment for the position and hire an outside candidate in its current form. City Administrator Ulrich described advantages and disadvantages of each option and recommended Option 2, filling this position by reassigning duties to existing staff and making internal restructuring by promoting the Assistant to the City Administrator to Assistant City Administrator with primary economic development duties assigned. That salary would be increased commensurate for the position. It was noted that a promotion was previously recommended and budgeted in 2015. In addition, staff recommends promoting the current Administrative Intern to a full -time, entry-level position with primary duties to include event planning, social media, and other administrative support and projects as required. With Option 2, the Community Development Director would have primary responsibility for land use related projects and planning, plus provide technical review and assistance in regard to the Housing Assistance Policy and other housing related policies and projects. City Council Work Session / August 26, 2014 Page 4 of 9