Resolution to Hire an Economic Development Manager

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 Council’s 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 city'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.

This case will be presented on tonight's regular agenda as part of the Report from the Personnel Committee.

Previous related agendas and minutes are attached.

Options #1:  As recommended by staff, authorize hiring Mr. Ted LaFrance as the City’s new Economic Development Manager, effective November 18, 2013, at $35.17 per hour (step 1 of the revised 2013 wage scale) with a credit of 5 vacation days.  Pros:  1)The position will allow for better development and implementation of the City's economic development, programs, and services for both commercial and industrial businesses, and 2) will assist with bringing many of the City Council’s strategic goals to fruition.

Option #2: (Not recommended by staff)  Do not hire position.   Pros:  Will save fixed personnel costs associated with this position.  Cons:  1) May cause a reduction in services to current and future businesses, 2) May cause over-loading of existing staff and/or a drop in service levels for economic development, 3)  May continue to take valuable time away from Administrative staff, reducing the likelihood of fully achieving the full range of strategic goals as identified by the City Council. 

Option #3:  Based on City Council discussion.

The 2013 funding for this position is well within the 2013 budget as this position was budgeted for all of 2013. The 2014 budget has not been adopted at this time; however, the funding for this position will be accounted for in the 2014 budget and is anticipated to have a total cost range from $89,862 to $100,435 (wages, taxes, and benefits) depending on the employee's health plan election. Funding for the ED Position is from the Economic & Development Authority (EDA) budget, the Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) budget and Tax Increment Financing (TIF).   Note:  The proposed step 1 hiring wage puts the position well within the funding which was previously stated to be not more than $112,957.

Authorize staff to move ahead with option #1 above: hiring Mr. Ted LaFrance as the City’s new Economic Development Manager, effective November 18, 2013, at $35.17 per hour (step 1 of the revised 2013 wage scale) with a credit of 5 vacation days.

Motion to approve resolution #13-11-189, to hire Mr. Ted LaFrance as the City’s new Economic Development Manager, effective  November 18, 2013, at $35.17 per hour (step 1 of the revised 2013 wage scale) with a credit of 5 vacation days.