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City
Administrator
Position Profile
The Community
The City of Arlington, Minnesota is located in Sibley County
approximately 50 miles southwest of the Twin Cities Metropolitan
Area. Arlington is a welcoming community composed of fine
schools and medical facilities, five beautiful parks, and an
active Main Street. The City is recognized by a baseball water
tower that represents the winning of five state amateur baseball
and two state high school baseball championships. A rural
setting, friendly neighborhoods and proximity to the Twin Cities
are community assets that make Arlington a growing city. A
number of new housing developments are underway and several
residential subdivisions have been constructed within the past
three years. Currently, there are 2,100 residents.
Arlington is positioned for economic growth with a nine-acre
Industrial Park, and an active Economic Development Authority
and Chamber of Commerce. There are over 50 retail and commercial
enterprises in the downtown area. The city’s leading employer is
Seneca Foods Corporation, a vegetable processor and leader in
agri-business that employs 265 workers. Also prominent is
Technical Services for Electronic, Inc., a manufacturing company
that serves Fortune 500 companies and employs 150 workers.
Arlington is accessed by State Highway 5 and County Roads 9, 11,
12 and 17. A US Hwy. 212 by-pass is scheduled for completion in
2008 and will further enhance future growth and expansion.
Education and Health Care
Independent School District #2310 employs 200 and serves
students in Arlington, Gaylord and Green Isle. Sibley East High
School (Grades 10-12) and the Elementary School (Grades K–6) are
located in Arlington. The Junior High School and an elementary
school are located in nearby Gaylord. Because safety and
communications are important issues, classroom computers are
networked allowing parents to track their child’s academic
progress online. Every teacher has a classroom telephone and
parents are able to contact children directly.
Many partnerships exist between the schools, the city and county
governments, and businesses in the community. In addition, St.
Paul Lutheran School, located in Arlington, enrolls children
from pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. Numerous colleges,
universities and technical colleges are located within a 65 mile
radius of Arlington.
Parks and Recreation
The Arlington Parks and Recreation Department maintains five
community and neighborhood parks that are located throughout the
city. Park amenities include athletic fields, playgrounds,
tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas, a skating rink and
scenic walkways.
Memorial Park is an arboretum that provides a dramatic entry to
Arlington and features the Veterans Walking Path of Honor. The
monument contains 50 American flags and honors all branches of
the service and veterans living and deceased.
The Four Seasons Park accommodates sports and playgrounds and is
home to the senior center and a multi-functional complex that
includes a community room. Frenzel Park is the city’s newest
park featuring a children’s playground with new equipment and
soccer fields. Sportsman’s Park is located along scenic High
Island Creek and has an excellent softball field, picnic area
and paths.
High Island Creek Park is a major county recreation area used
for nature outings, hiking and horseback riding. Other county
parks are within a few miles of Arlington.
The Arlington A’s amateur baseball club plays at A’s Field, a
spectator’s park for high school sports and amateur baseball
competition. The classic outdoor field is considered to be one
of the finest amateur baseball parks in Minnesota and the site
of numerous state championships. The Arlington A‘s are known
throughout the amateur baseball world for having the best record
in Minnesota state competition over the past 25 years and they
win approximately 90% of all their games.
The Community Center is a multi-purpose facility that houses the
City Council Chambers. The 14,750-square foot center was
completed in 2000 and features a stage area, seating for 600,
and fully equipped kitchen. The Center is used for community and
private events.
The City of Arlington has been the home of the Sibley County
Fair for more than a century with events held at the Sibley
County Fairgrounds and Arlington Raceway. The Raceway,
associated with the WISSOTA organization, draws spectators from
a wide area and is the home track to national champions. The
indoor swimming pool is located in the High School/Elementary
Complex.
In 2003, the municipal hospital was remodeled and is now the
Sibley Medical Center and Clinics. The hospital and emergency
department provides 24 hour emergency care and a full range of
services and consulting specialties. The primary care clinic is
served by eight doctors and nurse practitioners in the Arlington
office. The Arlington Good Samaritan Center is a skilled nursing
care facility with 72 employees.
The Organization
In 1948, Arlington was incorporated as a Home Rule Charter City
and in 1990 was designated as a Minnesota Star City. The city
operates under the home rule charter form of government. The
City Council is composed of five City Council members and a
Mayor all elected to four year terms. The City Administrator is
appointed by the City Council and is responsible for the
administration of city affairs. The Arlington Police Department
reports directly to the Mayor.
Various Boards and Commissions report to the City Council and
Council members serve on committees representing streets, public
buildings, utilities/fire/ambulance, bonds and insurance,
wastewater, employee relations, firefighter relief, Minnesota
Municipal Utilities Association, cable TV, SEDCO (Sibley County
Economic Development Commission) and Citizen Committees
involving Planning and Zoning, Police and Economic Development
City facilities include City Hall, the Fire Station/City
Services Building and the Police Station.
The City of Arlington employs seven full-time personnel. The
2007 General Fund Budget is approximately $1.7 million.
Organizational Chart
City Services
The city operates water and sewer utilities. There are
approximately 800 municipal connections served by an elevated
water storage facility and several wells that can pump up to 4
million gpd. The wastewater treatment facility has a capacity of
3.5 million gpd.
The Arlington Electric Utility is municipally owned and operated
as a function of the city utility department. Its operations
include construction and maintenance of the electrical
distribution system and extension of all consumer electric
services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers
located within a designated service area. The city purchases its
electricity from MMPA (Minnesota Municipal Utility Agency), a
municipal cooperative.
Police protection is provided by nine officers serving the
community including a Police Chief, one full-time officer and
seven part-time officers. The Arlington Fire Department serves
the city plus six townships. The Department is comprised of 28
paid-on call members and provides mutual aid to surrounding
communities and assistance to the Sibley County Sheriff’s
Department. The Arlington Ambulance Service serves Arlington and
seven townships.
The Position
The City Administrator is appointed by the City Council and also
serves as the City Clerk/Treasurer. The City Administrator is
responsible for directing staff in the implementation of City
Council policies and coordinating day-to-day operations.
Specific duties include:
• Supervise city staff directly or indirectly through
subordinate supervisors.
• Act as the final authority on personnel issues including
hiring, discipline and dismissal, with City Council approval.
Maintain personnel records.
• Oversee financial and accounting matters and invest City funds
in accordance with City Council guidelines.
• Oversee preparation and presentation of the annual budget.
• Administer economic and community development program
functions.
• Assist commissions and committees of the City Council.
• Assist the City Council in establishing long term goals and
objectives.
• Oversee bids and contracts for products and services used by
the city and coordinate the work of consultants.
• Evaluate projects, programs, services and community impact and
make recommendations to the City Council.
• Supervise city elections.
• Represent the city at MMPA meetings and activities.
Background and Experience
Candidates for the City Administrator position should possess a
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business
administration, accounting, finance or a related field; and a
minimum of three years experience in a related public sector
management position.
Qualified candidates will possess the following:
• Solid experience in budgeting and presentation and capital
improvement planning.
• Experience in financial management.
• Experience in land use planning and annexation procedures.
• Understanding of the operation of public utilities including
an electric utility.
• Familiarity with strategic planning and Comprehensive Planning
processes.
• Experience in economic development activities and knowledge of
TIF, bonding, grants and other municipal financing options.
• Experience in residential subdivision development and working
with developers.
• Background in human relations issues including performance
evaluation and staff development.
• Appreciation of living and working in a small community.
• Supervisory experience.
• Understanding of laws, ordinances and statutes governing the
city.
Management Capabilities
• Be comfortable dealing with the public and working in a high
visibility role. Be willing to become part of the community
through participation in service clubs and community
organizations.
• Establish regular meetings with community, school district and
hospital representatives to share ideas and information.
• Listen to the issues and be able and willing to make timely
decisions.
• Have strong verbal and written skills.
• Possess group leadership skills and an understanding of
Council and staff roles and relationships.
• Possess a strong customer service orientation.
Position and Community Priorities
• Implement plans to update the wastewater treatment plant
pending a bond issue for public improvements.
• Work with the Council Utility Committee to define the roles
for providing electric services.
• Oversee the process to complete proposed subdivisions.
• Oversee orderly annexation agreements.
• Provide oversight for the administration of the grant program
for downtown improvements.
• Participate in the development of plans for a trail system to
connect to the regional system.
• Initiate the process to develop a new Comprehensive Plan.
• Examine staffing levels and reporting relationships in the
Police Department.
• Evaluate equipment needs and develop a Capital Improvements
Plan.
Announcement
City Administrator, Arlington, MN (pop. 2,100). Starting Salary
$60s to $70s. Located in Sibley County, 50 miles southwest of
the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Arlington is a welcoming
community composed of fine schools and medical facilities, five
beautiful parks, and an active Main Street. Position supervises
seven employees and a general fund budget of $1.7 million.
Requires a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business
administration, accounting, finance or a related field, and 3+
years experience in a related public sector management position.
Qualified candidates will have experience in budgeting, economic
development and public utilities. Position Profile available.
Send resume by 6/11/07 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search,
50 South 9th Ave., Suite 101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone: (952)
945-0246 e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web: www.brimgroup.com
For more information see:
www.arlingtonmn.com
Timetable
6/11/07 Deadline for Application
7/23/07 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
7/31 and 8/1/07 Interviews/Selection
September 2007 Start Date
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