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City of St. James
City Manager
Position Profile
The City of St James, population 4,700, is the county seat of Watonwan County
and located in south central Minnesota. St. James is approximately 120 miles
southwest of the Twin Cities, 115 miles from Sioux Falls and 37 miles from
Mankato. St. James residents enjoy lakes for fishing and boating, a highly rated
educational system, an abundance of parks and recreational facilities, a strong
sense of public safety and a growing cultural environment.
The City boasts a strong economic environment and active housing market with
four subdivisions planned or constructed in the past five years and a current
expansion of the Industrial Park. The largest employers are ConAgra, a
processing plant that employs 400 and Westin Automotive, a motor vehicle parts
manufacturer employing 250. In 2004, the State of Minnesota implemented the Job
Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) program that offers strong tax incentives for
new and expanding businesses. St. James is a part of the Positively Southern
Minnesota JOBZ Growth Corridor. The City has 198 acres designated for
development in this program including the Industrial Park expansion
St. James attracts tourists to a downtown district that dates back to the 1880s.
Many aesthetic improvements have been made downtown including lighting and
decorative flags. Stores feature art, gift wares and antiques and a department
store, furniture store, pharmacies, jeweler, meat market, two hardware stores,
and a sporting goods store round out the variety of options for shoppers.
Residents and visitors enjoy the downtown coffee house, restaurants and the
third-generation Schmidt’s Bakery. A highlight of the downtown area is the St.
James Opera House, built in 1882, that served as a community space for musicals,
dances and traveling performances. The building is under restoration and will be
considered for inclusion in the National Register. The Little White Historical
Church serves as a museum and meeting place for the local historical society.
Education and Health Care
The St. James Public Schools employs 235 and operates three schools: St. James
High School, Northside Elementary and Armstrong Elementary. The Senior High
School building was built in 1961 with an addition added in 1974. The building
accommodates approximately 510 students in grades 8-12. Armstrong School
currently houses grades 4-7 with an enrollment of 390 students and Northside
Elementary houses grades K-3 with 437 students.
Two clinics and one hospital serve the City of St. James. The existing hospital
is operated by St. James Health services and is scheduled to be replaced with a
new medical facility in 2006/2007. The Good Samaritan Society operates a 75-unit
nursing home, 12 unit Alzheimer’s facility and a 28-unit independent living
facility. The Good Samaritan Society is also planning the development of an
assisted living facility that will be constructed in 2006.
Recreation
St. James Lake is a popular area for boating, swimming and fishing on one of the
city’s four fishing piers. Memorial Park, located on St. James Lake is one of
the largest parks in St. James and the location for many community events.
Memorial Park features a skate park, playground, newly constructed bandshell,
sand volleyball courts, baseball field, fishing docks and picnic shelters. A
scenic four-mile paved recreational trail will be constructed in 2006 and will
encircle the lake.
The St. James Golf Course features an 18-hole par 72 course and a 250-seat
restaurant.
Baseball games are held at one of southern Minnesota’s finest fields.
Comfortable seating and concessions are available.
Three neighborhood parks feature baseball/softball diamonds, volleyball courts
and playground equipment. Other recreational facilities include the outdoor
swimming pool with a long waterslide and wading pool, the St. James School
indoor pool, skating and hockey rinks, tennis facilities, and a campground.
St. James residents engage in community celebrations and festivals throughout
the year. Railroad Days Celebration is held at the end of June and includes the
Taste of St. James, the Rail Run and a 100+ unit parade. After the Fourth of
July celebration is the Watonwan County Fair, National Night Out and Mexican
Independence Day – a cultural event held in September. The Community Halloween
Party is followed by the Opera House Gala, the Hospital Gala and the Winter
Carnival in December. The Carnival features an evening parade, home tours, and
tree and wreath displays.
City Services
The city has a municipal electric utility with approximately 2,280 connections.
The utility purchases power from the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). Peak
demand for the system is 12,500 kw during the summer and 10,000 kw during the
winter. The city has a long-term agreement with MRES to purchase power through
2040.
The municipal water service has five wells and an elevated storage capacity of
1.6 million gallons. The mechanical wastewater treatment facility has a capacity
of 2.9 million gallons.
Fire and Rescue services are provided through a 34-member volunteer fire
department and a 31-member volunteer ambulance association. The city operates a
police department with a Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, five officers and a
secretary. All dispatching is conducted through the Watonwan County Sheriff’s
Department.
Organizational Chart
The Organization
St. James operates as a Minnesota Home Rule City. The Mayor is elected at-large
and serves a two-year term. Five Councilmembers are elected to overlapping
four-year terms. One Councilmember serves at-large and four are elected by ward.
The professional staff consists of the City Manager, City Clerk, City attorney,
and consulting City Engineer.
The Position
The City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the city responsible for
the administration of city affairs. Specific duties include:
• Supervise all municipal employees either directly or through subordinate
supervisors. The City Manager appoints and may suspend the City Clerk and all
Department Heads and staff, with the exception of police and fire staff, subject
to Council approval.
• Provide leadership in the development of short and long range plans.
• Provide professional advice to the City Council and Department Heads.
• Prepare and administer the annual budget. Monitor revenues and expenditures
and advise the City Council of financial conditions and city needs.
• Communicate plans, policies and procedures to the general public.
• May serve as the head of one or more departments of the city government.
Background and Experience
Candidates for the City Manager position must possess a four year degree in
public administration, political science, business or financial management or a
closely related field, and have a minimum of three years experience in a
municipal management position. Qualified candidates will possess:
• Knowledge of policies and practices of municipal finance, human resources,
public works, public safety and community development.
• Skill in preparing and administering municipal budgets. Knowledge of
enterprise funds.
• Supervisory background and experience in personnel activities.
• Familiarity with economic development activities including JOBZ.
• Knowledge of public financing techniques.
• Strategic planning and goal setting experience.
• Community planning experience including land use planning.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective
working relationships with employees, city officials and the public.
• Up to date competency in the use of computers and technology.
• Knowledge of an electric utility and setting rate structures preferred.
Management Capabilities
• Have an appreciation for working in an environment of cultural diversity.
• Work with the Mayor on media relations and customer service issues.
• Become involved in professional organizations to enhance the city’s exposure
at a regional and state level.
• Establish a regular meeting schedule with other community entities including
the schools, the county, hospital and others.
Position Priorities
• Oversee infrastructure development for the new hospital
• Develop a capital plan for the replacement of City Hall and the Community
Center.
• Examine the organizational structure and reporting relationships in the city
organization.
• Oversee completion of the Industrial Park expansion using the JOBZ program.
• Oversee infrastructure development for the new 22-lot subdivision.
• Develop funding options for maintaining downtown development and building
renovation projects.
• Initiate a Council goal setting process and strategic plan for economic
development.
• Oversee the construction of the St. James Jake Area Trail.
• Work with local interest groups to redevelop the existing hospital facility.
• Explore expansion of the city’s park and recreation programs.
Announcement
City Manager, St. James, MN (pop. 4,700). Salary range: $60s to $70s. Located in
south central Minnesota with lakes for fishing and boating, a highly rated
educational system, an abundance of parks and recreational facilities, a strong
sense of public safety and a growing cultural environment. This full service
community is one of the fastest growing cities in southern Minnesota. Requires
four year degree in public administration, political science, business or
financial management or a closely related field, and 3+ years experience as a
municipal manager. Qualified candidates will have experience in overseeing
municipal finance, human resources, public works, public safety and community
development. Position Profile available. Send resume by 2/1/06 to The Brimeyer
Group Executive Search, Fifty South Ninth Avenue, Suite 101, Hopkins, MN 55343.
Phone: (952) 945-0246 E-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web:
www.brimgroup.com
 For more
information see:
www.stjames.govoffice.com
Timetable
2/1/06 Deadline for Application
3/21/06 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
3/31 and 4/1/06 Interviews/Selection
May 2006 Start Date
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