City Administrator Position Profile The Community The City of Ottumwa is the county seat of Wapello County located on the Des Moines River, approximately 90 miles southeast of Des Moines, Iowa. With a population of 25,000, Ottumwa is the largest city within a 90-mile radius. Ottumwa was born as a river town in 1851. Approaching the city from the south or west, you are presented with a panoramic view of a tree-covered bluff rising from the Des Moines River Valley with church spires and roof tops peaking through. In the heart of the city three bridges span the river, earning Ottumwa the designation “City of Bridges.” Most notable is the Jefferson Viaduct which is the longest municipal bridge in the State of Iowa. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as are three neighborhood districts and several public and private buildings. These residential districts were developed as the City of Ottumwa grew up and away from the river during the second half of the 19th century. As a regional retail center for southeastern Iowa and northeast Missouri, Ottumwa features the region’s largest shopping mall, Quincy Place. The Mall was opened in 1989 and covers 26 acres. Over the years significant commercial development has occurred along the Quincy Avenue corridor with the addition of several large retail stores, clusters of small businesses, auto dealerships, and a variety of restaurants. The most recent new development was completed in 2006 and includes an eight screen movie theater. The central business district straddles the Des Moines River and is characterized by a mix of small and medium-sized retail shops and professional offices. Under the supervision of the Iowa DOT, a four lane bypass is currently under construction which will connect the east and northwest areas of the Ottumwa. The bypass will be part of a highway connecting Burlington, Iowa on the Mississippi River with the State Capital in Des Moines. Ottumwa has a diversified industrial base and is a manufacturing center, with over 30 manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors. One of the city’s largest employers include John Deere Ottumwa Works, an industry leader in the competitive hay and forage equipment market, with 950 employees. Pork processing has been a tradition in the city for more than 100 years and Cargill Meat Solutions has been in operation since 1987. The facility continues to grow and currently employs over 2,000. The 155-acre Ottumwa Industrial Park is owned and operated by the Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation (OEDC). At 1,400 acres, the City’s Airport Industrial Park is the largest industrial park in southeast Iowa. The Arts and Recreation A project currently underway is the Bridge View Center – an event center being built through community, business, county and state funding. The complex, which is nearly complete, will provide a venue for regional, civic, social, family and educational events and features a 30,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall, meeting spaces, and a 650-seat performance theater in a setting that overlooks the river. Ottumwa serves as a center for musical and cultural events. The city boasts the 60-member Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra and the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra. The orchestras perform locally and regionally and enrich community life through fund raising events, youth competition, outdoor performances, pop concerts and other cultural events. The Area Arts Council actively represents and sponsors a wide variety of events and performances. In June, The Family Arts Festival draws artists from all over the Midwest. Additionally, the Civic Music Association promotes concerts of the popular municipal band and the Community Players have entertained theater audiences for over 40 years. The Wapello County Historical Museum displays over 10,000 items and features artifacts of the Indians who settled the Des Moines River Valley. The City of Ottumwa has created 17 parks comprised of nearly 700 acres. The city maintains 20 baseball and softball fields and numerous lighted basketball and tennis courts. Popular facilities include The Beach Ottumwa containing a 13-acre water park and features two major water slides, a wave pool and tot pool. The $3.5 million facility can accommodate 4,000 people and is the site for year-round swimming competition with available seating for 500 spectators. The Beach also features sand volleyball courts and picnic areas. Also popular, is the Ottumwa YMCA – a 48,000 square foot facility featuring a pool, wellness center, fitness studio, gymnasium, indoor track, racquetball, day care and other amenities. Golfers are accommodated at the Cedar Creek Golf Course, a city-operated 18-hole course, and the 18-hole privately-owned Ottumwa Country Club. Education and Health Care The city is served by the 700-employee Ottumwa Community School District. The District operates eight elementary schools, one junior high school, one high school and one alternative vocational high school. Total enrollment for the district is approximately 5,000. Indian Hills Community College provides vocational and technical education and is associated with Buena Vista College. Eight other universities and colleges are located within a 60-mile radius of the city. Ottumwa and the surrounding portion of southeastern Iowa are served by the Ottumwa Regional Health Center, providing general acute care hospital services in a 235-bed facility. The Center employs 960. Paramedical air and ground ambulance services are provided. The Ottumwa Medical Clinic is a multi-specialty clinic with a pharmacy and optical shop. The Ottumwa Regional Health Foundation constructed a major retirement living community complex consisting of independent and assisted-living residential units. The Organization Ottumwa was incorporated in 1850. the city operates a Mayor-Council form of government. The City Council is composed of the Mayor and five Councilmembers. The Mayor is elected at-large for a two-year term and the Councilmembers are all elected at-large for overlapping four-year terms. The City Council is assisted by various boards and commissions including, but not limited to, the Airport Advisory Board, Library Board, Cemetery Board, Civil Service Commission, Historic Preservation Committee, Inspection Board of Review, Parks Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Enterprise Zone Commission, Human Rights Commission, Inspection Board of Review, Board of Transit Trustees, and the Water Works Board of Trustees. City Services The city owns and operates the Ottumwa Industrial Airport, which provides charter services. The Airport has its own interchange off U.S. Highway 63. The city operates a public transportation system with approximately 70 employees offering service to 11 counties through a 28E Agreement. Wastewater and storm water services are provided by city utilities. The wastewater treatment plant is an activated sludge facility. The Ottumwa Water Works operates a plant with a capacity of 8 million gallons and elevated storage capacity of over 11.5 million gallons. Electricity is provided by Ottumwa Water and Hydro through the Alliant Energy Company and natural gas is supplied by Mid American Energy. Police protection is provided by 36 full-time police officers headed by a Police Chief. The Fire Department employs 33 full-time personnel. The city’s fire insurance rating is class 5. The city has 240 full-time employees. Five bargaining units represent city employees in the areas of police, fire, municipal and public works and library. The general fund budget for 2007 is $10 million and the total budget is $50 million. Organizational Structure  The Position The City Administrator coordinates the administration and operations of all departments, offices and agencies of the city. Specific duties include: • Work in conjunction with the Finance Director in the preparation and submittal of the annual operating budget and capital programs. • Develop long range fiscal managerial plans and strategies and report to the City Council on the financial condition of the city. • Coordinate human resource activities with the HR Director, including union negotiations, employee grievances, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions and other personnel actions. • Participate in appointments and termination of city employees, except those appointed by the City Council. • Initiate policy recommendations for City Council consideration. • Assure compliance with the city ordinances and state and federal regulations. • Provide guidance and assistance in the development of long and short range goals. • Support economic and community development efforts including business retention, redevelopment and recruitment of new business. Background and Experience Candidates for the City Administrator position will possess a Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, finance or a related field plus a minimum of seven years responsible municipal government management experience including five years at the city or county administrator or assistant administrator level. Highly qualified candidates will possess: • General knowledge of the principles and objectives of public administration and municipal operations. • Extensive knowledge of budgeting and financial administration, including financial forecasting. • Specific background in economic development with an emphasis on redevelopment and rejuvenation. • Experience in annexation procedures, land use, and urban planning and zoning concepts. • Understanding of public financing options including grant writing and TIF. • Experience in strategic planning, goal setting and long term community planning. • Understanding of technology pertaining to city operations. • Experience in facilitating a formal team building process and implementing outcomes. • Experience with labor relations issue and union negotiations. Management Capabilities • Become informed about community issues. • Be approachable to the public and enjoy a high level of public exposure. • Instill a strong customer service orientation within City Hall. Promote improvements in the city’s image. • Promote the use of public processes in planning and improvement projects. • Establish methods to judge the productivity of staff. • Work closely with the Mayor and City Council in establishing Council policies. Be diligent in interpreting and following Council direction. • Be consistent in communications and procedures. • Work with the Mayor in the city’s public relations efforts. Community and Position Priorities • Finalize operational procedures for the Bridge View Center. Address the issue of overrun costs in the completion of the project. • Explore additional options for joint services with the county and adjacent cities, especially in the area of police and fire services, annexation and growth issues and housing options. • Cooperate with appropriate development agencies and community groups on developing a design theme for downtown, utilizing the Iowa Main Street program. • Initiate an inclusive community visioning process. • Manage redevelopment and growth opportunities, along with infrastructure improvements, along the new highway corridor, in cooperation with development agencies and the Iowa Department of Transportation. • Work with developers and the Housing Authority to develop additional life-cycle housing options. Initiate plans for neighborhood revitalization programs working with neighborhood organizations. • Continue plans for the sewer separation project, including the need for additional funding sources. In addition, manage a plan for the replacement of all of the city’s infrastructure. • Manage the replacement of key staff and Department Heads due to pending retirements. • Work closely with OEDC, the hospital and the college on economic development activities and options for creating a larger tax base. • Evaluate the city budget with an eye to city resources and cost saving measures. • Working with the Parks and Rec Advisory Board, the Ad Hoc committee and city staff, explore ways to make more effective use of the city’s parks and open spaces. Announcement City Administrator, Ottumwa, Iowa (pop. 25,000). Starting Salary: high $80s to mid $90s. County seat of Wapello County located on the Des Moines River. The city serves as a regional retail center for southeastern Iowa and northeast Missouri. Position reports a Mayor and five-member City Council. Responsible for the supervision of 240 full-time employees, a GF budget of $10 million and total budget of $50 million. Prefer experience in all phases of municipal government, with specific experience in economic development and redevelopment, staff development and customer service. Candidates for the City Administrator position will possess a Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, finance or a related field plus a minimum of seven years responsible municipal government management experience including five years at the city or county administrator or assistant administrator level. Position Profile available. Send resume by 06/12/06 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search, 50 S. 9th Avenue, #101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone: (952) 945-0246, Fax: (952) 945-0102, e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com, web: www.brimgroup.com See Ottumwa web site for additional info: www.OttumwaIowa.com Timetable 6/12/06 Deadline for Application 7/10/06 Present Candidates/Select Finalists 7/21 and 7/22/06 Interviews/Selection August 2006 Start Date |
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