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Public Works Director
Position Profile
The Community
Renowned as the “Birthplace of Water Skiing”, the City of Lake
City is among Minnesota’s most popular tourist destinations.
Lake City lies on the western border of 21-mile long Lake Pepin,
the widest spot on the Mississippi River. Spectacular scenic
bluffs border the lake and the large concentrations of bald
eagles and migratory birds earned Lake Pepin designation as a
Globally Important Bird Area. The Lake is one of the best
sailing lakes in the nation and is prized for all types of
excellent water activities. Lake City has a population of 5,300
and is located in Wabasha and Goodhue Counties 15 miles south of
Red Wing, 35 miles northeast of Rochester, 45 miles north of
Winona and 60 miles south of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Lake City has much to offer its residents. A wonderful variety
of housing includes a large concentration of stately 19th
century homes, mid-century ramblers, lake homes, multi-unit
housing and modern housing in new subdivision neighborhoods. The
City enjoys a health economy and is home to many manufacturing
and commercial businesses including Federal Mogul – a
manufacturer employing 515; Hearth and Home Fireplace Products
with 475 employees; Lake City Medical Center with 355 employees;
Valley Craft Metal Office Furniture with 130 employees; and Wild
Wings, Inc., with 150 employees. An abundance of apple orchards
produce over 700,000 bushels of Haralson and Honeycrisp apples
annually and includes Pepin Heights, Minnesota’s largest orchard
since 1949.
The Lake City Marina is the largest municipally owned and
operated facility on the upper Mississippi with space for over
600 boats. The Marina administration building is currently
undergoing a $2.6 million addition and renovation. A scenic
river walk runs along three miles of open shoreline where one
can stroll, jog or roller blade uninterrupted while viewing the
magnificent scenery and lake activities.
Recreation
The City and school district work in concert to provide over 400
acres of parks, beaches, ballfields, and tennis courts. Patton
Park is located in the town center and features summer
entertainment in the historic gazebo. The largest is 250-acre
Hok-Si-La Park, situated on Lake Pepin, that offers camping,
picnic areas, public boat ramp, swimming beach, shower
facilities, shelters and cross-country skiing trails. A large
dining hall is available for weddings and other events.
Throughout the park system there are lighted ballfields,
athletic fields, playground equipment, picnic areas, fountains
and public art. The City operates summer recreation programs for
children that includes swimming programs at the O’Neill public
pool.
Three semi-private 18-hole golf courses and one public 18-hole
golf course serve the area. Frontenac State Park, just north of
Lake City, offers 40 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails
and hiking and camping in the summer months. One of the most
anticipated community events in Lake City is Water Ski Days,
sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Johnny Apple Seed Days,
held in October, is notable for many family events.
Health Care
Lake City Medical Center, Mayo Health System campus includes a
clinic, hospital and nursing home. The clinic was built in 1998
and the 18-bed hospital was built adjacent to the clinic a year
later. Five physicians, a physician assistant and two nurse
practitioners provide a wide range of health care services in
the clinic. The acute care facility offers surgical, obstetrics,
emergency care and hospice services. The 94-bed Lake City
Nursing Home provides quality facilities, services and programs.
Lake City has three dental offices, four chiropractic offices
and an optometrist.
Education
Independent School District #813 provides an excellent
educational base for the community with one elementary school
and one junior/senior high school. The public school system
administers early childhood programs for pre-school and offers
before and after school childcare programs. Community education
classes are conducted during the school year. St. John’s
Lutheran Parochial School serves students in K-8th grade.
The Lake City Public Library offers 40,000 volumes, computers,
DVDs and internet access. The Library is a member of SELCO, a
cooperative regional library system, and offers over two million
volumes through a 30-member regional library system via an
online database.
Organization/City Services
The City of Lake City is a home rule charter city operating
under a Mayor/Council form of government with a full-time City
Administrator. The City employs a staff of 55 full-time, 13
part-time and 43 seasonal workers.
Administrative, planning and community development functions are
located in the historic City Hall, which is on the National
Register of Historic Places. Police services are provided by a
27-member department. The Ambulance Service is staffed by 4
full-time Paramedics, 2 Casual Paramedics and 19 EMTs. Fire
protection is provided by a 22-member volunteer department.
Refuse hauling, recycling and composting are provided by the
City.
The Public Works Department
There are a total of 21 full time employees in the Lake City
Public Works Department. The Department is responsible for the
daily operations of the Divisions of Public Works including,
Streets and Parks, Electric, Water, Sewer ,Stormwater Management
and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The annual operating budget
is $1.3 million and the Capital Improvement Plan is $720,000.
Utilities - The Department maintains four wells for water supply
with a storage capacity of 1.5 million gallons. The wastewater
treatment plant has a capacity of 820,000 gallons with an
average daily use of 600,000 gallons. Municipal electricity is
purchased through Southern Municipal Power Association (SMMPA)
and the City operates and maintains the distribution system.
Streets and Parks The Department is responsible for the
maintenance of almost 400 acres of parks and miles of street and
alleys. In addition, the Department is responsible for
management and maintenance of Hok-Si-La Park and the swimming
pool. Seasonal programs include a summer recreation program that
operates with 22 part-time employees and the construction and
maintenance of an ice skating rink during winter months.
The Public Works Director serves as liaison to:
The Utility Board - Comprised of five members. The Board
oversees the construction, maintenance, repair pertaining to the
water, electric and sewer works of the City and of all new
constructions, additions and alterations in the City.
The Street and Parks Commission – Comprised of seven members.
The Commission makes recommendations to the City Council
regarding the maintenance, improvement, replacement, addition of
streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, swimming pools and tree
programs.
Organizational Chart
The Position
The Public Works Director is under the direction of the City
Administrator and the City Council and is responsible for public
works services and infrastructure within the city. Areas of
responsibility include the construction maintenance and
operation of the electrical distribution system; water treatment
and distribution system; wastewater collection and treatment
system; storm sewer collection system; road construction and
maintenance; and maintenance of park facilities, city grounds
and buildings.
Specific duties include:
• Responsible for interview and recommending hire, assigning and
reviewing work, grievances, training, discipline, and
recommending discharge or termination of public works staff.
• Investigate problem areas and public works solutions and
strategies. Respond to and resolve complaints from the public
and employees.
• Project a positive department image and promote cooperative
relations between public works staff and community service
constituents and citizen customers.
• Attend meetings of the City Council, Utility Board, Streets
and Parks Commission to provide recommendations and answer
questions.
• Prepare and administer annual operating and capital budgets.
• Facilitate long range planning for City infrastructure needs.
• Assure compliance with local, county, state and federal
requirements.
• Assist in contract negotiations and work agreements for
products and services relating to public works.
• Serve as liaison to construction managers, architects,
engineers and other hired consultants.
• Oversee public works administration including records
management, maintenance of facilities and equipment, purchasing,
accounting, utilities reading and billing.
Background and Experience
Bachelor’s degree preferred (or technical certificate and
equivalent work experience) in public works, infrastructure
management, public administration or a related field and seven
years of progressively responsible experience in public works
operations including five years supervisory experience.
Specific qualifications include:
• Thorough knowledge of municipal street and park/recreation
maintenance and construction; infrastructure management; and
water and wastewater collection treatment and distribution
operations.
• Familiarity with regulations and compliance issues of external
agencies including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources, Environmental Protection Agency, OSHA, Minnesota
Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security,
Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the Army Corps of
Engineers.
• Experience with managing an electric utility is preferred.
• Knowledge of the collective bargaining process and managing
union contracts.
• Experience working with an elected Board and an understanding
of the political process.
• Background in strategic planning and goal setting.
• Familiarity with the use of technology and the application to
public works functions.
• Experience with budget development, financial reporting and
accounting principles.
• Experience with construction and project management.
• Working knowledge of records management and record keeping.
• Experience working with a variety of contractors and vendors.
Management Capabilities
• Maintain effective communications with a variety of
stakeholders including, Council, Boards and Commissions, City
Departments and public works staff.
• Develop a sense of accountability with staff.
• Provide cross-training to more effectively utilize the public
works staff.
• Develop a process to report on completed assignments and
provide data and historical information.
• Possess a strong organizational ability to set priorities and
coordinate a variety of tasks.
• Make a practice of regularly visiting and observing operations
in the field.
• Keep staff informed on current and pending projects through
holding regular staff meetings with supervisors and departmental
meetings, as necessary.
• Monitor the use of overtime and the use of public facilities
for private events.
• Effectively manage interaction of staff and elected officials.
Department Issues
• Assist in the planned street reconstruction program.
• Become involved in the plans and construction of the electric
utility sub-station.
• Develop a plan for infrastructure repair and replacement.
• Develop a rate structure using the formula adopted and
approved by the Utility Board.
• Assist in developing a plan for Underwood Park, to include
ballfields and playground equipment.
• Begin construction of bike trails, per the approved plan.
• Explore the possibility of obtaining additional grants.
• Explore cooperative efforts with the county on shared services
and sharing equipment.
• Be involved in an update of the City’s Comprehensive Land Use
Plan, with particular attention to the stormwater management
plan.
• Develop a more usable system for mapping and record
maintenance.
• Develop a public works infrastructure asset management plan.
Announcement
Director of Public Works, Lake City, MN (pop. 5,300). Starting
Salary – high $60s to high $70s.
One of Minnesota’s most popular tourist destinations on the
western border of 21-mile long Lake Pepin, the widest spot on
the Mississippi River. Position is responsible for 21 full-time
employees and daily operations of the Divisions of Public Works
including, Streets and Parks, Electric, Water, Sewer ,Stormwater
Management and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Bachelor’s degree
preferred (or technical certificate and equivalent work
experience) in public works, infrastructure management, public
administration or a related field and seven years of
progressively responsible experience in public works operations
including five years supervisory experience. Position Profile
available. Send resume by 6/29/07 to The Brimeyer Group
Executive Search, 50 South 9th Ave. #101, Hopkins, MN 55343.
Phone: (952) 945-0246 e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web:
www.brimgroup.com
For more information, please visit
www.ci.lake-city.mn.us
Timetable
6/29/07 Deadline for Application
7/17/07 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
Week of 7/30/07 Interviews/Selection
September, 2007 Start Date
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