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Personnel Committee Meeting Date: 11/12/2013 By: Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Title: Resolution to Hire an Economic Development Manager Purpose/Background: The Purpose of this case is to request authorization to hire Mr. Ted LaFrance as the City's Economic Development Manager. A needs analysis was conducted for this position. Based on results of that analysis, staff recommended that a full-time Economic Development Manager be hired to perform the City's economic development function. This position would be responsible for the development and implementation of economic development, programs, and services for both commercial and industrial businesses. Without this position it would be very difficult to attain many of the City Councils strategic goals; many of which focus on economic development. As the City Council is aware, staff has worked for some time now in an effort to seek an economic development professional to fill this position, the details of which are summarized below: Step One • Initial applications were accepted from February 20, 2013 through March 13, 2013 • The City received fourteen applications • Six interviews were scheduled, one applicant withdrew, five interviews were held, followed by three finalist interviews Step Two • Subsequently, applications were accepted beginning May 17, 2013 through June 19, 2013 • The City received eight applications (three of which were new applications and five were duplicate applications received during the first application period) • Two applicants were interviewed which did not result in a finalist Step Three • Lastly, at the July 9, 2013 work -session, the City Council came to a consensus directing staff to to utilize the professional services of Springsted Incorporated, a professional search firm • At the August 18, 2013 work -session. the City Council came to a consensus accepting Springsted's recommendation to increase the pay scale by eight percent • The application period ran through September 13, 2013 • Springsted received fifteen applications (10 complete / 5 incomplete) • Springsted conducted five phone interviews and recommended that four of the candidates be invited in for in -person interviews • Four candidates were invited to interview and three accepted the invitation • All three candidates were interviewed twice The City has made a contingent job offer to Mr. Ted LaFrance. This offer was contingent upon City Council approval of authorization to hire, as well as successfully passing the citv's background checks, reference checks, work -style assessment, pre -employment physical & drug screen. Mr. LaFrance has successfully passed all of the requirements and is now recommended for approval to the City Council. Notification: