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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-04 CorrespondenceCITY MANAGER SEARCH PROPOSED TIMELINE AND TALKING POINTS June 4 Work Session June 11 - Ad publication June 14 -Distribute recruitment profile Approval of recruitment profile -decide next step (committee or Council as a whole) Response by June 16 June 28 -Publication in professional bulletin July 23 -Application deadline August 17 -Distribution of consultant report with candidate list August 20 -Progress report meeting with consultant (2 hour executive session) September 20 -Start interviewing candidates sometime that week Will this schedule work, do we need to make changes? Who should be involved in interview process? Board & Commission chairs Former Mayors Department Heads Interview process? Two options 1) Maybe 5 or 6; narrow down with Council interviews and bring back smaller number (including spouses) to meet with Board & Commission chairs, Former Mayors, department heads; and community meet and greet within one week OR 2) Do all at once. Bring in maybe 5 or 6, with spouses; set up meetings with Council, Board & Commission chairs, Former Mayors, department heads; and community meet and greet /~-~~~ ~OG°p~ CITY OF IOWA CITY RECRUITMENT PROFILE CITY MANAGER CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA This Recruitment Profile provides background information on the Community and the City government of Iowa City, Iowa. It outlines factors of qualifications and experience identified as desirable traits and attributes for Candidates for the City Manager position to possess. This Profile was prepared following interviews with the Mayor and City Copncil Members, City Department Heads and a broad range of community members involving small, focus group sessions, open public forums, and through the Internet. Importantly, this Profile will be used as a guide in the recruitment process, providing specific criteria by wlwch applications will be screened and individuals selected for final interview and appoin g eS t FP ideration. This recruitment is Sing conpducted on an open, impartial, local, regional, and nationwide basis, encoura a lications from all persons wishin to com ete for the position. All inquiries relating to the recruitment and selection process for the City Manager position are to be duetted to the attention of the consultant working with the City of Iowa City: Robert Beezat The PAR Group, LLC 100 North Waukegan Road, Suite 211 Lake Bluff, IL 60044 TEL: 847/234-0005 FAX: 847/234-8309 www.pargroupltd.com Submit r@sum~s by mail or by email to: resume®pargroupltd.com COMMUNITY BACKGROUND Iowa City: In the top five of the "Best in National Rankings" for. Public Schools...Metro Area for Livability... Small Metro Area...Metro Area for Expanding a Business Offering big-city amenities along with small-town hospitali- ty, Iowa City is recognized by many national surveys and publications as one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family. Iowa City is known to its residents as a community with "extraordinary opportunities in an unexpected place." Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Iowa City has long served as a locus for culture, education, variety and fun. It was literally carved out of native prairie in 1$39. It was organized by Fiat of the Iowa Territorial Legislature and U.S. Congress and was intended to be the first permanent location of Iowa's early seat of government. When statehood was achieved in 1846, Iowa City was the first state Capitol. The Capitol was moved to Des Moines in 1857. "Old Capitol" is now a nation- al, historic landmark. The Iowa City area has been home to many diverse groups of Native Americans beginning roughly 13,000 years ago and continuing into the initial settlement period. Historian Ben- jamin F. Shambaugh of the University of Iowa and State Historical Society noted that the new town plat "...was a wilderness, in which the Indian camp-fires had scarcely gone C~Oo p~ out." Indian cultures included hunter-gatherers from the Paleo-Indian and Archaic Periods, Woodland and Late Pre- historic agriculturalist mound builders, and Meskwaki vil- lages from the historic period. The first immigrants from Europe came from Germany, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Great Britain. With the draw of the University of Iowa, Iowa City has seen temporary and perma- nent immigration from all over the world. Iowa City is a diverse community from all perspectives: social, economic, business, educational, housing, etc. One of the major contributing factors to the diversity of the commu- nity is the University of Iowa. The University of Iowa was founded on February 25, 1847, 59 days after Iowa became a state. The first faculty offered instruction at the University in March 1.855. In September 1855, the student body numbered 124, of which 41 were women. The 1856-57 catalogue listed nine departments offering Ancient Language, Modern Lan- guage, Intellectual Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, History, Nahtral History, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, and Chemistry. The original campus was composed of Old Cap- itol and the 10 acres of land on which it stood. Today's University of Iowa is recognized as one of the nation's top public universities, offering more than 100 areas of study for its 29,000 students. Since 1936 Iowa has been the home of the renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop, having fostered the cre- ative talents of Ray Bradbury, Flannery O'Connor, and Kurt Vonnegut. The University also includes one of the largest university-owned teaching hospitals in the nation. Providing patient care within 16 medical specialties, the UI Hospitals and Clinics has been named one of "America's Best Hospi- tals" by U.S. News fa World Report magazine. The University of Iowa has a long and distinguished list of'firsts': It was the first public university in the U.S. to admit women and men on an equal basis, the first to admit students regardless of race, and the first to confer the Master of Fine Arts degree. It has been a pioneer in such diverse fields as speech pathology, space exploration, and educational development. Iowa City is also served by the Kirkwood Comm oxim t 1 lege campus, which has an enrollment of app Y 3,239 students and offers a full Arts and Sciences curriculum. It offers distance learning for those who can't make it to campus, continuing education classes for those who wish to take classes in their area of interest without obtaining course credit, plus customized training programs for area business- es. The National Alliance of Business clamed Kirkwood its Community College of the Year in 2000 for Kirkwood's part- nerships indeveloping training programs with the area busi- ness community. In addition to the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Com- munity College, the Iowa City area provides a variety of excellent K-12educational opportunities; The Iowa City Com- munity School District has an enrollment of about 10,600 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The district includes the nearby communities of Coralville, Hills, and North Liberty. In all, the district has 17 elementary schools, two junior high schools, two senior high schools, one alterna- tive school for seventh through twelfth graders, as well as daycare and pre-school facilities. Iowa City is also home to: Regina High School, a private Catholic institution; Willow- wind School, an independent school with K-8 and Montes- sori pre-school; and Preucil School of Music, specializing in the Suzuki method of instruction. Iowa City's economy is as diverse as it is prosperous. The economy is based upon a thriving commerce, a major univer- sity, and a number of national and international businesses, including Fortune 500 companies. Iowa City is home to facil- ities of General Mills, Moore North An{erica, NCS-Pearson, Lear, Oral B Laboratories, Procter & Gamble, the corporate headquarters for ACT, and scores of smaller indus- tries and businesses. The University of Iowa is the ,,~r city s largest employer, with 23,608 emp oyees. The academic and research mission of the Univer- sity,along with the health care services provided at its hospitals and clinics, have a tremendous eco- nomic impact on the area. .^k.t z~. ~. ...„. ,_~,_ Y ~ 't„t~ .. ri . '~'Z d~'1 .-,,.r' < < ,k The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corri- dor, located at the crossroads of Interstates 80 and 380 in the center of the United States, is a model of regional development. The area, encompassing 12 communities plus Johnson and Linn Counties, rep- resents astrong partnership between Priority One and the Iowa City Area Development Group, The University of Iowa, Kirkwood Community Col- lege, Alliant Energy, MidAmerican Energy and the Cedar Rapids Area and Iowa City Area Chambers of Commerce. From music and art festivals to Broadway perfor- mantes, Iowa City has an event to suit anyone's C~Op taste. During the summer months, live music becomes a part of the downtown's ~ irresistible ambiance. Each July, the city is i host to a jazz festival that attracts music enthusiasts from both near and far. The annual Iowa Arts Festival features the state's best visual art, music, and food. Iowa City is also home to several community theaters, ~~- including Riverside Theatre's Shakespear- f •~,• _ - ean stage. Located in City Park, this open- air theater presents shows under the stars. Iowa City is home to the recently restored ,~ historic EnglertTheatre downtown and also ~~?=~ has a vibrant Iowa City Community The- atre. The University of Iowa's Rancher Auditorium showcases the best in enter- tainment.Over the years, Hancher has been host to productions such as Rent, Cats, Les Miserables, and Stomp. The Rancher stage has also seen the likes of Yo Yo Ma, Jerry Seinfeld, and Wynton Marsalis. Iowa City is a place of rolling hills, lush and scattered wood- lands, and tall grasses. In the Iowa City area alone, there are 41 public parks, several of which overlook the scenic Iowa River. Many of these parks are equipped with networks of walking and biking trails as well as quaint picnic sites and prairie reserves. Coralville Lake, located to the north of Iowa City, offers a multitude of recreational activities. In addition to 5,000 acres of water for pleasure boating, fishing, swim- ming,and water-skiing, the area is laced with attractive trails used for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. A glimpse of the state's geologic past can be found at a nearby Devonian fossil gorge. Unearthed during the flood of 1993, the gorge contains a variety of fossils. Iowa City is full of unique shops- from the Old Capitol Town Center, Pepperwood Plaza, and the Sycamore Mall to family-operated businesses; the area provides a variety of merchandise. The downtown is un- equalled when it comes to offering specialty goods; it's there you'll find clothing and jewelry, gifts and toys, books and espresso. The Coral Ridge Mall, located in the nearby city of Coralville, is a regional shopping mall. CITY GOVERNMENT BACKGROUND The legislative and policy arm of the City government is the City Council, which consists of seven Council Members elect- ed to four-year, overlapping terms. All Council Members are elected at large in the general election; three of the seven are nominated by district and any primary is held only in the district. One of the Council Members is selected as Mayor by the majority vote of the Council and serves atwo-year term in that capacity. The Mayor is a voting member of the City Council and has no veto power. The Mayor is the official representative of the City, presiding officer of the Council, and its policy spokesperson. The Council appoints a City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk. The Council also approves the City Manager's °~~•3, ~~t,s,~~ ... . r.~ ' appointments of the Police Chief and the Fire Chief. All other decisions concerning hiring, firing, discipline, and supervi- sion of employees are made by the City Manager or those employees to whom the Manager delegates responsibility, subject to Iowa law, including Chapter 400 of the Iowa code regarding civil service employees. The Mayor and City Coun- cil also make appointments to the Library Board of Trustees and the Airport Commission. The Library Board appoints a Library Director and the Airport Commission appoints an Airport Manager. The Mayor and City Council appoint a wide variety of Boards and Commissions to assist them in making legislative and policy decisions for the City. The City Manager is the Chief Administrative Officer of the City. All City employees, except the City Clerk and City Attorney and their staffs, answer to the City Manager, who in turn answers to the City Council. It is the duty of the City Manager to ensure that City's Ordinances are enforced and the policies of the City Council are implemented. The City Manager appoints and directly supervises the directors of the City's operating departments, supervises the administration of the City's personnel system, and further supervises the official conduct of City employees including their employ- ment, training, compensation, reclassification, discipline and discharge. The City Manager also oversees administration of City contracts, execution of public improvements, as well as construction, improvement, and maintenance of all City facil- ities. The City Manager prepares a proposed annual budget and submits it to the City Council for consideration and final approval consistent with State law, along with presenting recommendations and programs to the'City Council. Iowa City is afull-service, municipal government providing a wide array of city services as shown in the accompanying organization chart. The City has 615 full-time-equivalent employees with 551 being full-time employees. The City's fiscal year runs hom July 1 through June 30. The City has a total expenditure budget of $125 million with the major components of the budget being the General Fund ($51 mil- lion), Business Type/Proprietary Funds ($46 million), Capi- ~~Oo p~ tal Projects ($14 million), and Debt Service Fund ($12 million). The City has earned and enjoys a triple A bond rating. More information regarding the City Government of the City of Iowa City and the community can be found at the Cit}/s website and related links at: www.icgov.org CITY ISSUES, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES The City of Iowa City expects to address a number of impor- tant issues and challenges in the next several years. Some issues relate to broad policy matters. Some are more specific to particular internal operational, organizational and man- agementmatters. The Mayor and City Council are seeking an experienced, professional public administrator to assist them in analyzing and evaluating these and other issues, and implementing programs which will maintain and improve the quality of life for its residents and businesses. The following issues and chnllenges are not listed in order of priority or impor- tance bu tare set forth to give candidates a sense of the type and scope of issues which the City will be addressing. The fist is not to be considered as exhaustive, nor should the statements be interpreted as endorsing any particular course of action. The list is divided into some general categories, but there is obviously overlap of issues into more than one category. Finances/Itevenue Grow the City's tax base within a state municipal tax structure which limits revenue sources and options. Increase acquisition of grants from state and federal government regarding a wide range of programs in- cluding transportation, roads, housing, homeland secu- rity, etc. Develop revenue producing/sharing partnerships with private and public organizations. Re-examine the local option sales tax issue in terms of focused spending (i.e., road im- provements) for particular projects which benefit all of the taxpayers who pay the tax and which is "sunsetted" when the projects are completed. Economic Development Take a more proactive policy and programmatic stance toward commercial and industrial growth and develop- mentwithin the City limits. Review the City's zoning and building codes to facilitate development while still maintaining quality and safety standards. Evaluate potential property acquisition opportunities for redevelopment purposes. Continue the City's active involvement with downtown as itchanges from a retail center to acommunity/ student activity and entertainment center. Implement road improvements which will assist in mov- ingbusiness related traffic within and around the City. Implement road improvements which will improve traf- fic flows in the Kirkwood College area of the City. Make the airport and surrounding area more attractive as a business development opportunity. Develop a light rail system along the Technology Corri- dor linking workers and jobs. Investigate ways to increase east-west train traffic from both a freight and passenger standpoint. Investigate and evaluate the utility and value of a com- munity-wide Wi-Fi system. Consider public ownership of public utilities such as gas, electric, and cable/internet systems. Cultivate the idea of Iowa City as a retirement communi- ty to attract and retain residents with regular income, who participate and support marry cultural activities and programs, and who do not utilise some services such as elementary and high schools. Workforce/pffordable Housing Develop concrete goals for affordable housing utilizing mixed-use developments and inclusionary zoning poli- Customer Service Improve customer service/welcoming ori- entation to business development and expansion. Review and evaluate City Hall staffing and assignments to expand hour of operation and availability to the community. Exemplify and implement an organization- al culture which balances regulatory roles of government with the role of enabler/ proactive communicators to assist residents and businesses in achieving their commu- nity or business goals. C~Oo p~ ties: "untangle the knot" of the many causes and impacts of workforce/affordable housing. Review public transit services and routes as part of the goal of achieving affordable housing within the community. Look at new and creative approaches which other communities are taking to encourage a broader range of housing options for working families which are also profitable for developers and builders. Personnel/Staffing W ith projected retirements of City Department Heads and other City Staff over the next 3 to 10 years, take a fresh look at the City's organizational structure, programs, and staffing levels. Also, with projected retirements, develop compre- hensive succession planning policies and programs to ensure the continued high level of professionalism and skills within the organization. Find a way to finance the construction and staffing of Fire Station #4 in the short term and Fire Station #5 in the longer term. Evaluate police staffing levels which some consider to be relatively low based on per capita staffing standards. Regularize the performance evaluation process for de- partment heads with a system which rewards perfor- mance and encourages excellence and risk-taking. Improve clarity and completeness of internal communi- cation from the top down, through department heads, and to the rank and file. Marketing/Irnage/Public Relations Improve marketing the City; hire a professional public relations person for the City. Translate residents' love of Iowa City into a positive image for both retaining and attractmg future entrepre- neurs and retiring "Boomers" and competing for busi- ness growth and grant acquisition. Find more ways to welcome and integrate new members of the community. Strategic/Long Term Planning Consider development of an overall strategic plan for the City which sets achievable priorities and goals. Have afive- and ten-year vision and plan for the commu- nity to help navigate through the sometimes conflicting program requests which come before the Mayor and Council. Value the voices of those not typically heard regarding a wide range of issues and plans. University and Student Relationships • Continue to expand partnerships and programs with the University of Iowa and to engage the highly talented faculty, staff, and students in addressing City issues ana challenges. Get students to care about and be involved in the City government; bridge the gap between students and the rest of the community Build partnerships between the police, University, social service agencies, and students in regards to alcoholism, binge drinking, and sexual assaults issues. Recognize that students who are often members of the community for 4 plus years have some of the same needs and concerns of longer term reside~tts. Create regularized (quarterly or semi-annual) meetings between the University, the City, and students to discuss and address common issues and problems. Regionalization and Partnerships Continue the implementation of tl}e joint communica- tions center and take a leadership role in seeking other joint service agreements with other governmental bod- ies in the region regarding police, fire, public transit and vehicular traffic issues. Continue to support the regional approach to economic developmentthroughthe CedarRapids/Iowa CityTech- nology Corridor. Miscellaneous Evaluate and find ways to fund the maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure. Upgrade and expand recreational facilities to keep pace with other cities in the region. Improve and upgrade the City's information tech- nology: i.e., catch up on GIS system; improve and integrate the City's financial and HR software pro- grams to provide up-to-date information to City staff; expand the opportunities for e-business with residents and businesses. Simplify/ digest the many dense and lengthy documents on the City's website to be more readily understandable to residents and businesses. C~OpI~ Provide more explicit leadership and education to the community regarding energy efficiency and conserva- tion and other "green" initiatives. Institute an annual "trash forgiveness" day. CITY MANAGER GIUALIFICATION CRITERIA The current and predictable issues, needs, and challenges confronting the City of Iowa City call for particular experi- ence, skills, and professional commitment on the part of Candidates for the position of City Manager. The following factors of education, experience, management style, and per- sonaltraits have been identified as ideal attributes for the City Manager to possess in order to function effectively in the position. It is anticipated that the salary for the position will be $160,000+/-, negotiable depending upon experience and qualifications. Residency in the City is required within a reasonable amount of time following appointment, as deter- mined by the Mayor and City Council. Education and Experience A bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university is required; a graduate degree in public administration or related field is preferred. Have proven executive-level management experience with at least seven years of progressively responsible experi- ence; experience in a full service municipality of similar size and complexity is preferred. Experience in a university community is strongly preferred but not required. Possess strong financial management abilities involving bud- get developmentandcontrols, financial forecasting, prov- en and sustainable revenue generation, and capital 1 improvement programming; have excellent analytical skills. Have knowledge of and experience with a wide variety of creative and innovative housing alternatives available through both private sector developers and public and not for profit programs and partnerships. Have experience with and an appreciation of the contribu- tions which educational, cultural, recreational, and his- toricalamenities make to a community which enjoys and appreciates a high quality of life for all of its residents. Possess demonstrated excellent oral and written communica- tion skills and the ability and willingness to communi- cate openly and transparently with the Mayor, City Council, employees, and community. Have experience in and knowledge of employee and labor relations and possess a reputation for dealing openly and fairly with both individual employees and employ- ee groups. Have experience developing and implementing a strategic planning process which anticipates future opportuni- ties, issues, and concerns, and assis~.s in development of annual and longer-range plans and priorities for the community. Have experience in intergovernmental relationsworking with, and when appropriate, lobbying local and regional juris- dictions and state and federal agencies in a constructive and cooperative manner. Have demonstrated record of applying technology systems and technology transfer to ensure effective use of com- puter applications and related technology by all appro- priate activities of the City government; personally be computer literate. Have experience working with elected officials, other City department heads and staff, and an actively involved public in a positive, cooperative, and team-oriented approach to addressing issues and solving problems. Understand and practice the principles of the council- manager form of government; prepare and share information equally with all members of the Coun- cil;provide the Council with alternatives and make a recommendation to the Council on all matters that come before it. Possess knowledge of economic development tools, programs, and strategies and have a positive record in overall economic growth and development and downtown revitalization, including a positive record of interaction with business leadership. ~C~G'~ Be capable of effectively communicating the City's approved policy positions to the media and community groups and organizations. Have experience and ability to recruit and retain high quality professional staff and be supportive of professional de- velopment for staff. Possess a broad base of knowledge beyond local government and be a life long learner who can appreciate an inter- disciplinary approach to problem solving. Management Style and Personal Traits Possess complete integrity and exemplify professional and personal characteristics of impeccable behavior which meet the highest standards. Be an excellent communicator; a good listener; be someone who honestly and openly seeks and enjoys the input of others whether they are citizens, staff, or elected officials. Bea "people person;' easy to get along with, patient, and accessible. Have strong leadership skills. Be a strong administrator who is self-confident and has the courage of her or his convictions to present carefully thought-out policy-related alternatives and recommen- dationsfor Council action, while recognizing the impor- tance ofcarrying out the direction of the policy decisions of the Mayor and Council. Have maturity, professional stature, and personal style which will establish early credibility with City Officials, em- ployees, and the community at large. Have a high energy level and enthusiasm for meeting the challenges and responsibilities of the City Manager's position; have a good work ethic; set a good example. Exemplify and be committed to a customer service orientation and be able to exemplify, promote and support such an orientation among staff throughout the organization. Be capable of attracting, developing, and retaining a highly qualified professional staff. Delegate broadly and provide wide latitude to professional staff, while being personally knowledgeable of the status of municipal activities and projects and holding staff accountable for results; be able to challenge staff to be creative and innovative in addressing community issues. Believe in and practice participatory team management; be a consensus builder; have faith in managers and give them opportunities to take calculated risks. Be open to and promote new ideas and initiatives. Be active in the community as a visible City Official, per- sonally taking part in civic and community activities and events. Though thoroughly engaged with the City organization and community, be able to take vacations and' recharge their batteries." Have a sense of humor. PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT The following, or similar, text has been released for insertion in appropriate professional publications and Internet sites. IOWA CITY, IA (65,000) City Manager. The City of Iowa City, progressive, stable, full-service, independent city and home to the University of Iowa, seeks an experienced manag- er and leader who will thrive in an interactive community. Reports to and appointed by the Mayor and City Council, elected to four-year overlapping terms. Mayor is selected by the City Council from among its members. Most recent City Manager retired after 21 years as City Manager. $125 million budget and 615 FTE employees. Successful and responsible executive management experience requ~ed; municipal expe- riencepreferred. Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred. Experience in a university community strongly preferred, but not required. Strong administrative leader- ship; open and positive communicatiozR; team management; financial and budget management; community, housing and economic development success; and labor relations experi- ence required. Must be committed to and enjoy being part of and working with an engaged community. Starting salary range of $160,000+/-dependent upon cjualifications and ex- perience. Residency required subsequent to appointment. Additional information regarding the position can be found at the Consultant's website: www.pargroupltd.com. Apply promptly with complete r2sum@ to: Robert Beezat, The PAR Group LLC,100 N. Waukegan Road, Suite 211, Lake Bluff, Illinois 60044. TEL: 847/234-0005; FAX 847/234-8309; email: resume®pargroupltd.com Applicants desiring confi- dentiality, subject to Iowa open meetings and records laws, should request the same in writing at the time of submitting their application. The City of Iowa City is an Equal Opportu- nity Employer. The Group ~~p~ Citizens of Iowa City Mayor & City Council Airport Commission Boards & Commissions City I I COY Attorney Cierk City I I Board of Manager Trustees Airport Manager Assistant Finance Fire City pirector Chief Manager Broadband Admin. y Telecomm. T a pin g Accounting Human Rights Fire Purchasing Prevention Human Resources nt Services Suppression Information Technology Services Revenue Risk Management Housing & parking Inspection & Services Transit Director Director Library Director Parks & 1 ( Community I ~ Police Recreation I I Development Chief Director Director Admin. Parking Administration Administration Building Transit Operations CBD Maintenance Dave op ent Inspection Para-Transit Cemetery Economic Housing Authority Forestry Development Housing Government JCCOG Progran Inspection Buildings Nefghbofiood Parks Services Recreation Urban Planning Administration Animal Servio Community Services Criminal Investigations Emergency Comm. • Patrol Records &