2014-11-18 Council Workshop Administrator Transition Process
CITYOF MENDOTAHEIGHTS
CITYCOUNCILWORKSHOP AGENDA
November 18,2014–6:00pm
MendotaHeightsCityHall
1.
Call toOrder
2.
Roll Call
3.
City Administrator Transition/Search Process
4.
Adjourn
DATE:
November 18, 2014
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Justin Miller, City Administrator
SUBJECT:
City Administrator Search Process/Transition Update
BACKGROUND
At the November 10, 2014 city council workshop, the city council agreed to a tentative
timeframe for the city administrator search and transitionprocess. Below is an update ofactions
taken and steps to be considered:
Position Posted on League of Minnesota Cities WebsiteNovember 13, 2014
Application DeadlineDecember 15, 2014
Personnel Committee Review (Petschel and Norton)Week of December 15, 2014
Initial InterviewsWeek of January 5, 2015
Finalist Named/Interviews HeldLate January/Early February
Final Selection/Contract ApprovedFebruary 3, 2015
Anticipated Start DateMarch 2015
Due to holiday and vacation schedules, it may make sense for the council to identify exact
interview dates at this time so that everybody can save the dates on the calendars. Please bring
your calendars with you to the workshop so dates can be reserved.
Interim Administrator
Staff has contacted several individuals who might be interested in serving in an interim role from
the end of December through March. Staff will provide the council with more information at the
workshop and discuss how to proceed with interviewing these individuals.
City of
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Minnesota
City Administrator Position Profile
The Community
The City of Mendota Heights is a premium suburb nestled between Minneapolis and Saint Paul
on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River valley. Boasting a close proximity to the
Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport, the residents totaling just over 11,000 enjoy the
small town feel of the city in an urban setting. The community exists of mainly residential
properties with a complimentary mix of retail, commercial and industrial properties. Residents
are employed in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the surrounding communities. Mendota
companies include Northwestern Mutual Finance Network, Restaurant Technologies, Sun
Country Airlines, Bituminous Roadways, Patterson Companies and Southview Design. The
retail offerings in Mendota Heights include the Village at Mendota Heights and Mendota Plaza.
The History
In 1956, Mendota Township voted in favor of
incorporation and this year the City of Mendota
Heights celebrated 58 years. Overlooking the
Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, the historic
site of Pilot Knob
treasures.
City of Mendota Heights
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Parks and Recreation
The City of Mendota Heights takes pride in the seventeen county, city and neighborhood parks
sprinkled throughout the community boasting over twenty-two miles of paved off-road trails.
The city owns and operates the Mendota Heights Par 3 golf course offering an array of youth and
adult leagues and lessons for the community. Located in Mendota Heights are Mendakota
Country Club and Somerset Country Club, two beautifully maintained private golf clubs.
Education
School District 197 serves Mendota Heights, Eagan and West Saint Paul area residents.
Educational institutions within the city limits include Henry Sibley High School, St. Thomas
Academy, Visitation School, Friendly Hills Middle School, Somerset Elementary and Mendota
Elementary. Post-secondary institutions in the city include Brown College and Le Cordon Bleu
of Culinary Arts.
The Organization
The City of Mendota Heights, a Plan A municipal corporation, is comprised of a mayor and four
city council members who work with the city administrator who carries out the administrative
responsibilities of the organization. All members of the city council are elected at large.
Organizational goals and priorities are determined at goal setting sessions conducted by the
mayor, city council, city administrator and pertinent staff. Staff is trusted and relied upon to tend
to the administration of the city and to identify and analyze pending issues providing
recommendation and policy action by the mayor and city council.
The mayor and city council foster a team approach with both staff and advisory committees in
accomplishing organizational goals. The city council is assisted by three advisory commissions:
Airport Relations Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission.
The City of Mendota Heights employs approximately fifty regular employees, several seasonal
and contract employees and a volunteer fire department of thirty-six firefighters.
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Mendota Heights city government consists of the following departments:
Administration, Police, Fire, Public Works, Planning, Parks and Recreation, Finance,
Engineering, Utilities, Streets, Human Resources and Information Technology. The current
operating budget is in excess of ten million dollars. The city provides police services for the
cities of Mendota and Lilydale. The city provides fire services for the cities of Mendota,
Lilydale and Sunfish Lake. Community access programming is provided by the Northern
Dakota County Community Cablevision (NDC4) which operates under a joint powers agreement
with six other Dakota County cities.
The City of Mendota Heights major capital facilities include City Hall/Police Department, the
Fire Department, the Public Works Garage and the Water Tower which are in good condition but
are in anticipation of routine
Saint Paul Regional Water Services.
The most current and important issues facing the City of Mendota Heights:
2030 Comprehensive Plan update
Economic Development
Residential Redevelopment
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Rulemaking Project
Airport Noise and Airport Issues Relative to Proximity of Minneapolis/Saint Paul Airport
Position
The City Administrator is appointed by the Mayor and City Council. As the chief administrative
officer, the city administrator is responsible for the day- to-day operations of the city and for
implementing all programs and work plans in accordance with city ordinances and directives
from the city council. The city administrator manages an adopted 2014 general fund budget of
$6.6 million and is responsible for managing a staff of fifty employees and thirty-six volunteer
firefighters, in addition to seasonal and contract employees. Departments reporting directly to
the City Administrator include Administration, Finance, Fire, Police and Public Works. Specific
duties include:
Development and proposal of annual operation budget
Supervise department heads and administrative staff
Provide all necessary information to city council on a timely basis
Oversee preparation of c
Facilitate and assist the council in development of public policy
Implement all work plans, programs and budgets
Represent the city in airport noise and airport related issues
Represent the city on civic associations and intergovernmental organizations
Establish effective communications with citizens, businesses, commissions,
consultants and external organizations
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Background and Experience
or related field and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in
professional city or county administration.
Preferred background includes:
A strong background in budgeting and financial management
Extensive knowledge of municipal operations
General knowledge of Municipal law and Minnesota Statutes
Experience in personnel practices, laws and issues including labor relations, pay
equity, and compensation and benefits management
Experience with intergovernmental relations at the county, regional, state and federal
levels
General knowledge of Land Use/Planning procedures and practices
Proven analytical and problem solving abilities
Leadership Style
Lead and generate positive energy to cause positive organizational change, with an ability
to identify and deal with organizational strengths and weaknesses. Challenge staff to find
new ideas to respond to council policy direction.
Lead, create and implementing a plan to build a performance culture into the
organization. Communicate performance expectations and hold related staff accountable.
Ability to communicate effectively with the public, city council and staff. Be experienced
in assembling and incorporating information and working with the mayor as
spokesperson for the city.
Establish and promote customer service expectations. Integrate values of integrity and
respectful behavior in all public service and communications.
Ability to work effectively and respectfully with people of differing opinions and
personalities. Be willing to confront difficult issues and take calculated risks. Deal with
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Announcement
City Administrator, Mendota Heights, Minnesota (pop 11,071). Salary Range: $115,000 to
$125,000. Competitive benefits. The City of Mendota Heights is seeking a seasoned professional
in public administration or equivalent and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively
responsible experience in professional city administration preferably as a city administrator/city
manager. The position requires a proven track record of municipal operations with a strong
background in budgeting/finance, personnel management, land use development and council
relations. Submit a letter of interest and resume with five work related references, and salary
4:00 p.mMonday, December 15, 2014
history by . on to:
City of Mendota Heights
City Administrator Search
1101 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
Questions should be directed to Justin Miller, City Administrator at email address
justinm@mendota-heights.com or at (651) 452-1850. To learn more about the community,
please visit the City of Mendota Heights website at www.mendota-heights.com
Timeline:
December 15, 2014: Deadline for Applications
January 2015: Selection of Semi-Finalists
February 2015: Final interviews/Selection
March 2015: Anticipated Start Date
The City of Mendota Heights is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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