Adopt Resolution #17-12-307 to Hire a City Planner in Community Development

The purpose of this case is to authorize hiring a City Planner in the Community Development Department.

Background: As a result of multiple budget discussions and feedback from staff, the City Council included funds in the 2018 budget for additional staffing in Community Development.  The new position will provide direct and indirect assistance with many of the City’s strategic initiatives including but not limited to current development and long range planning, implementation of the comprehensive plan and administration of the zoning and subdivision regulations.  Additionally, this position will provide: 1) a collaborative approach to improved images of residential neighborhoods and business districts, including a sustainable, long-term plan 2) work with property owners to clean up areas of blight along Highway 10, Highway 47, and County Road 5, and 3) provide enhanced levels of customer service to internal, external, public and private customers.

In an effort to have the new employee on board in January, staff started a recruitment in October.  Following the application period, staff conducted five first interviews and two second interviews.  The interview panel included senior staff in both Community Development and Administrative Services.  Staff selected both finalists to participate in an extensive leadership assessment with the City’s consulting psychologists. 

Based on the leadership assessment and other factors, Ms. Chloe McGuire Brigl was selected as the top candidate.  Staff advanced her to the back grounding process which included the following pre-employment checks:  professional reference check, employment verification, degree verification, driving record check and a drug screen.  Ms. McGuire Brigl has successfully passed the City’s back grounding process. 
 

The 2018 funding for this position is less than was originally budgeted and therefore falls within the 2018 budget.

To hire Ms. McGuire Brigl as a non-union, exempt employee as City Planner, effective on or near January 2, 2018 @ Step 3 of the City Planner wage scale which is $5,755 per month with a credit of 5 vacation days.  Note, based upon the candidate’s current experience, it is recommended that the position be hired as a City Planner, and transition to a Senior City Planner after two years of experience in Ramsey.  Therefore, it is recommended that effective January 2, 2020, subject to satisfactory performance,the position would transition to Senior Planner at step 3 of the Senior Planner wage scale. 

Motion to adopt resolution #17-12-307 to do the following:

Hire Ms. McGuire Brigl as a non-union, exempt employee; as City Planner, effective on or near January 2, 2018 @ Step 3 of the City Planner wage scale of $5755 per month with a 5-day vacation credit, and, subject to satisfactory performance, be advanced to step 3 of the Senior Planner position effective January 2, 2020.