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City of Maple Plain
City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer
Position Profile
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The Community
Maple Plain is a thriving Minnesota community located 25 miles
from downtown Minneapolis on U.S. Highway 12 in the western Twin
Cities Metropolitan Area. The city has a distinct traditional
small-town character comprised of unique homes, businesses and
churches.
The surrounding area features lakes and ponds, rolling hills,
wetlands and wooded areas. Two major parklands Rebecca Park
and Baker Park are within a half mile of Maple Plain The popular
Luce Line recreation trail is located one mile south of Maple
Plain and is easily accessed through Baker Park.
Maple Plain was founded in 1868 and centered around the depot
for the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway. The village
was incorporated in 1912. Before State Highway 12 was built, the
citys Main Street was State Highway 10. Controversy developed
when the State Highway Department proposed a new highway site
and village businesses feared the loss of local and tourist
trade. The new school house built in 1923 was located on the
proposed site causing further resistance. Following litigation,
the city lost the dispute and Highway 12 was located and
constructed in 1929-30.
The City of Maple Plain covers about 800 acres and is home to
2096 residents. The city is primarily residential with a
commercial, service, and industrial business component.
Businesses include T.D. Sawvel Co., Inc. - a manufacturer of
automated packaging equipment, Plastics Custom Group, injection
molding services, HercULift, Storage Concepts, Maple Plain
Family Center, 100 year old Maple Plain Bank, Meyer Bros. Dairy,
Maple Crest Landscaping, Haven Home nursing facility, Bryant
House Assisted Living, Maple Terrace Senior Apartments,
Brewsters Sea and Ski recreational dealership, McGarrys Pub
and the Blackwater Coffee and Cafe.
Areas zoned for residential use are almost completely developed
and a few parcels zoned for commercial or light industrial use
remain undeveloped.
Minnesota Design Team
Residents of Maple Plain and surrounding communities recently
participating in a design process through the Minnesota Design
Team. The Design Team is an 18-member volunteer group of
architects, landscape architects, urban designers, planners and
others with expertise in community development. The goal of the
team was to work with residents to bring together a shared
vision for a sustainable future for the City of Maple Plain.
During an intense weekend in late October 2006, the team met
with citizens to learn about the history of the community,
current problems, opportunities and dreams for the future. The
Design Team used this information to develop a series of design
concepts and a pictorial representation of the communitys
shared vision.
The process identified issues to deal with in the future and
include:
Develop a plan for downtown to include a streetscape, shops,
and a town square with a combined City Hall/Library facility
Develop a strategy to deal with infill sites
Establish design guidelines for the downtown area and for
development/redevelopment projects
Partner with Mn/DOT on Highway 12 improvements
Build a local trail system to connect to the regional trails
Develop a plan to provide gateways at the east and west ends
of the community
Evaluate the feasibility of an Environment Education Facility
Recreation and Education
The City of Maple Plain maintains 27-acres of park land
including two 7-acre parks containing baseball and softball
fields, volleyball courts, playgrounds, shelters and a skating
rink. The neighborhood keyhole park is a popular play area.
The 3,312-acre Baker Park is comprised of woody highlands,
evolving meadows and prairies sprinkled throughout the area
around Lake Katrina. The park reserve offers a variety of
recreational activities including golf, swimming, fishing,
playgrounds, trails and extensive campgrounds.
There are approximately seven public and private golf courses
located within minutes of Maple Plain, including the 18-hole
Windsong Farms Golf Club facility designed by John Fought and
Tom Lehman and opened in 2003. Additionally, the nearby polo
grounds attract sports enthusiasts.
Maple Plain is part of the Orono Public School District 278. The
District serves students in K-12 grades in all or part of the
Cities of Maple Plain, Independence, Long Lake, Medina,
Minnetonka Beach and Orono. The Orono School District is
organized into four schools on a 120-acre central campus nestled
against 2,000 feet of lakeshore. Schumann Elementary School
houses grades K-2 and our Multi-age Community (MAC) with
students in grades 1-2; Orono Intermediate School is home to
grades 3-5; Orono Middle School includes grades 6-8; and Orono
High School completes the high school experience for grades
9-12. The District employs more than 300 staff members and
serves a student population of just over 2,400.
The Maple Plain Public Library is part of the Hennepin County
Library System and is located on Hwy. 12.
The Discovery Center, owned by the School District, is a
community center located in an auxiliary campus in Maple Plain.
The Discovery Center is home to a wide variety of programs and
activities for all ages, from preschool to senior citizens,
including a daycare, pre-school, teen center and studios for
pottery, stained glass, dance and music activities.
The Organization
The City of Maple Plain operates under a Mayor/Council form of
government with an appointed Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer. The
city is directed by a Council composed of an elected Mayor and
four elected Councilmembers, all serving four-year terms. The
Planning Commission and Park Board serve as advisors to the City
Council. Economic development activities are conducted by the
Maple Plain Chamber of Commerce and a newly formed EDA comprised
of City Council members and business leaders.
The City of Maple Plain employs two full-time
administrative/office employees and two full-time public works
employees. The city contracts for engineering and planning
services. Current contracts are with Bonestroo, Rosene and
Anderlik for engineering and Schoell & Madson for planning.
The city budget for 2007 is $1.5 million.
City Services
The Cities of Maple Plain and Independence are served by West
Hennepin Public Safety (WHPS) through a joint-powers agreement
for police services that was formed in 1979. A volunteer fire
department provides fire protection services to Maple Plain
under a contract with the City of Independence. The City of
Maple Plain provides water, sewer and storm water services to
residents. City water is provided by three wells with a storage
capacity of 400,000 gallons. A new water plant that will treat
radium will be under construction in 2007 and open in 2008. The
city is connected to the Metropolitan Council Sewer System.
The Position
The City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer carries out the policies
established by the City Council for the efficient administration
of city business. Specific duties include:
Provide direction to city staff. Administer personnel policies
and bring major issues to the Council for appropriate action.
Develop the annual budget for approval of the Council.
Make recommendations for the efficient handling of city funds,
maximizing return of investments. Seek out additional sources of
grants or other funding.
Maintain municipal records, documents and ordinance books.
Review and issue licenses and permits.
Coordinate insurance matters.
Perform financial and accounting functions including financial
reporting, annual audit, payroll, accounts payable and
receivable.
Responsible for election activities
Attend meetings of the City Council and Planning Commission,
prepare agendas and record meeting minutes.
Make recommendations for improvement of operational
efficiencies of the city.
Participate in planning and zoning activities.
Serve as the public information representative in providing
information through newsletters, meetings and presentations to
civic and community organizations concerning government
business.
Oversee technology needs and improvements.
Oversee procurement of materials and services.
Background and Experience
Candidates for the City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer preferably
will have a four-year degree in public administration, business,
finance or a related field and a minimum of four years
experience in a municipal government position with two years in
a responsible management position. Must be a Certified Municipal
Clerk or obtain certification within an appropriate timeframe.
Qualified candidates will possess:
Understanding of public works operations. Knowledge of
infrastructure, including water and sewer issues.
Knowledge of public financing techniques.
Strong background in accounting, financial management and
budget activities.
Experience in strategic planning, goal setting and
comprehensive planning.
Understanding of clerk duties, including record keeping and
election activities and knowledge of pertinent laws, codes and
regulations.
Supervisory experience and background in human resources
activities.
Ability to evaluate city fees and tax structure.
Significant knowledge of the permitting process, variances,
and planning/zoning activities.
Familiarity with land use planning.
Experience in economic development and redevelopment process.
Experience working with an Economic Development Authority.
Knowledge of code enforcement activities.
Understanding of Joint Powers Agreements and managing
consultants.
Strong background in public relations activities and
experience in working with the media.
Good writing and presentation skills.
Management Capabilities
Be willing to make strong recommendations and decisions.
Ability to work independently.
Bring an organized approach to planning.
Possess strong organizational and creative problem solving
skills. Be willing to take risks.
Enjoy serving as city spokesperson. Be available to speak to
the public and tell the city story.
Have an appreciation for working in a small organization.
Be adaptable and flexible in helping people respond to a
changing scene.
Possess collaborative skills and ability to work cooperatively
with neighboring communities.
Position Priorities
Develop processes and procedures for implementing city goals
and incorporate, where appropriate, the results of the Minnesota
Design Team planning efforts. Take the lead in developing a
phased plan for implementation addressing development and
redevelopment issues including financial implications,
redevelopment sites, adopting design standards, rezoning
activities, etc.
Be involved in managing the engineering and construction
contracts for the new water treatment facility.
Work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on
transportation and traffic issues surrounding Highway 12.
Manage the development of a Capital Improvement Plan,
including equipment replacement financing.
Manage the process for the development of land on the east end
of town.
Manage the completion of the recodification of city
ordinances.
Announcement
City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer, Maple Plain, MN (pop.
2,096). Salary in the mid $50s to low $70s, depending upon
qualifications. Maple Plain is a thriving Twin Cities community
located 25 miles west of downtown Minneapolis on U.S. Highway
12. A four-year degree is preferred (public administration,
business, finance or a related field) plus a minimum of four
years experience in a municipal government position with two
years in a responsible management position. Must be a Certified
Municipal Clerk or obtain certification within an appropriate
timeframe. Qualified candidates will have experience in finance
and accounting, planning/zoning, development and redevelopment
and public relations. Position Profile available. Send resume by
12/11/06 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.mapleplain.com
Timetable
12/11/06 Deadline for Application
1/8/07 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
1/19 and 1/20/07 Interviews/Selection
February 2007 Start Date
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