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<br />TO: Mayor and Council members <br /> <br />FROM: City Administrator <br /> <br />RE: Urban Economic Development Planner <br /> <br />The position of Urban Economic Development Planner was discussed by Council in 1980 <br />and 1981, as there were definite needs at that time for the position. However, there were <br />other problems in those days that caused the Council to table action. Those were as follows: <br /> <br />a) There were other staffing needs to be met and the City wasn't able to finance all <br />these needs. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />b) The state of the economy in the State of Minnesota and the Country at that time <br />was very poor. <br /> <br />However, since that time, the state of the economy has been corrected here in Minnesota <br />and other staff needs have been met (hiring of another public worksman and an accounting <br />clerk). We have also made a partial correction in our local government aid in that we nOw <br />receive credit for all our citizens which means another approximately $70,000 for the City <br />of Ramsey. The City has now addressed the ability to finance this position, which will <br />also generate other costs. <br /> <br />Question - What will be the Urban Economic Development Planner's duties? He will be <br />charged with working with the Planning and Zoning Commission, Economic Development <br />Commission and Park and Recreation Commission as follows: <br /> <br />a) ;Planning and Zoning Commission - The Urban Economic Development Planner will <br />be addressing major planning problems that go before that Commission. <br /> <br />b) Economic Development Commission - In this area the Urban Economic Development <br />Planner will be expected to maintain a close laison with the County, Metro Council and <br />State in regards to grants, etc. He will work very closely with the EDC in assisting in the <br />developing of the City's commercial/industrial areas. <br /> <br />c) Park and Recreation Commission - Here the Urban Economic Development Planner <br />will provide expertise grantsmanship. <br /> <br />d) Other areas - Other areas that this position will be closely involved with on a <br />day-to-day basis are: <br /> <br />1) Zoning and Subdivision Code <br />2) Comprehensive Plan <br />3) Grants <br />4) Computer development for all planning activities <br />5) Capital improvement programs <br /> <br />Summary - It should be noted that the above duties are stated in a very broad form. <br />Consequently, there will be a lot of interfacing with other staff positions. This position <br />will help solve the log jam we have in the planning and zoning and economic development <br />areas at the present time. It should also be pointed out that it is not going to lessen the <br />workloads at the Commission or Council levels. It is surely going to get Ramsey moving <br />in economic development. <br /> <br />