City of Detroit Lakes
City Administrator
Position Profile
The Community
The City of Detroit Lakes is located in the gently rolling hills
of west central Minnesotas lake country. Ideally positioned
within 25 miles of 412 lakes, Detroit Lakes is a prime tourist
area offering an array of venues for water activities, many
excellent parks and a wide range of recreational facilities. A
diverse cross section of health care, agriculture, tourism,
manufacturing, industrial, retail and professional service
businesses provide a health economy for 8,300 residents. Detroit
Lakes features a compact downtown area with a 135,000 square
foot shopping center and businesses comprised of department
stores, specialty shops, professional services, banks, grocery
stores, restaurants and theaters. An assortment of housing
alternatives are available on the lakeshore, city lots,
subdivisions and rural areas. Many cabins and resorts provide
seasonal living units. The City is situated on beautiful Detroit
Lake and is located in the southwest part of Becker County at
the intersection of U.S. Highways 10 and 59 and State Highway
34. Detroit Lakes serves as the county seat and is the location
of the district headquarters for the Minnesota Department of
Transportation and the State Patrol.
Recreation and Culture
Residents and tourists find many opportunities for recreational
activities including excellent fishing, boating, canoeing,
swimming, sailing, water skiing and golfing. A favorite area is
the City Park, located on the shores of Detroit Lake and
featuring a landmark Pavilion and the famous mile-long sand
beach. Other city parks provide shaded picnic areas, tennis
courts, playgrounds, a disc golf course, skateboard areas,
softball and baseball fields, basketball courts and other
amenities. Four state parks, including Itasca State Park, the
headwaters of the Mississippi, a county park and a state forest
are located within a short drive of Detroit Lakes.
Detroit Lakes also offers some of the best winter activities in
the state and visitors are drawn to the area for ice fishing,
cross country skiing, curling and snowmobiling with over sixty
miles of groomed trails. Ice skating is enjoyed at both outdoor
rinks and the city ice arena as well as swimming during the
winter months at one of the citys three indoor pools.
Detroit Lakes is the central location of the Pine to Prairie
Birding Trail, a 30-mile habitat that boasts 250 species of
birds. The 120-acre Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District is
comprised of wetland and prairie habitat for birds, wildlife and
plants and offers multi-purpose trails. The Tamarac National
Wildlife refuge has more than 20 lakes plus three rivers and is
home to eagles, trumpeter swans, black bears, moose, deer and
timber wolves. Six miles west of Detroit Lakes is the Hamden
Slough National Wildlife Refuge, designated as an Important Bird
Area.
A thriving arts community offers cultural opportunities through
the Historic Holmes Theater located within the Detroit Lakes
Community and Cultural Center Complex. The 837-seat theater was
restored through a community effort and hosts local to
international groups. The state-of-the art community center was
completed in 2001 and includes an aquatic center/pool, field
house with a gym and ball courts, fitness studios, meeting
rooms, daycare and alternative learning center. Other notable
facilities in Detroit Lakes include the Playhouse 412 community
theater and the Becker County Museum. The Museum features a
variety of displays and exhibits on Native American culture,
early pioneer settlement, environmental history and Detroit
Lakes community expansion.
Each year WE Fest, one of the largest country music festivals in
the US, is held near Detroit Lakes. Campgrounds are packed with
tents surrounding a huge stage. The three-day concert attracts
around 50,000 music-lovers each summer. In August 2007, WE Fest
will host its 25th anniversary show with musical attractions
including Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Carrie
Underwood.
Washington Ballpark is a facility built in the 1920s that is
owned and operated by the City of Detroit Lakes. The park plays
host to the Detroit Lakes Angels of the Minnesota Amateur
Baseball League, Hi-10 Conference, Little League Baseball,
American Legion Summer Baseball and the Detroit Lakes High
School varsity baseball team. The Detroit Lakes Angels Amateur
Baseball League Team joins area teams in the Hi-10 Conference
for the 2007 season. The Detroit Lakes Freeman Arena has two ice
sheets for hockey events and dry floor arena options.
The Detroit Country Club offers two golf courses: the Pine to
Palm course, which is a beautiful 18-hole, par 71 course that is
deceptively difficult for its 6,105 yards, and the Lakeview
course, which is a mature par 64 course with challenging level
fairways and hills. Other features include a completely stocked
pro shop and lessons offered by a PGA professional. Over 60,000
rounds of golf are played annually on the two courses that are
widely considered among the finest public golf courses in
Minnesota.
Education
The Detroit Lakes School District #22 employs 426 and has a
service area of 15,000 in population. The School District serves
over 3,200 students, from pre-school through Grade 12. In
addition to the traditional K-12 program, the District operates
a community education program, a pre-school program, and is the
host district for the area's special education handicapped
students. The School District participates in a regional
cooperative service agreement for services varying from low
incidence special education needs to specialized high tech
computer services. Facilities include Detroit Lakes High School,
Detroit Lakes Middle School, Rossman Elementary School ,
Roosevelt Elementary and an Alternate Learning Center. Three
parochial schools, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Adventist
Christian School and Faith Christian School serve the area.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes
provides a wide range of post secondary educational
opportunities including: Accounting, Architectural Drafting,
Bio-Medical Equipment Technician, Construction, Medical
Secretary, Practical Nursing, Secretarial, Small Business
Management and Welding. Minnesota State University at Moorhead,
North Dakota State University and Concordia College are all
located within 45 miles of Detroit Lakes. Classes are also
offered by these Universities at the Minnesota State Community
and Technical College
Detroit Lakes Public Library is a branch of the Lake Agassiz
Regional Library Network. Built in 1913 with a grant from the
Andrew Carnegie Foundation, the building is on the National
Register of Historic Places.
Health Care
St. Mary's Regional Health Center is licensed as an 87-bed acute
care hospital and 100-bed Nursing Center and also offers 88
units of senior housing. The Center employs 350 and serves
approximately 32,000 people in Detroit Lakes and Becker County
in a complete range of health care services. St. Mary's is the
largest employer in Detroit Lakes with over 600 full and
part-time employees. Emmanuel Nursing Home has space for 104
residents and St. Mary's Nursing Center, located on the St.
Mary's Regional Health Center campus, can accommodate 103
residents.
Two major clinics serve Detroit Lakes and the surrounding
communities with over 25 practicing physicians providing a wide
range of services in family practice and specialty care. In
addition, there is a wide range of dental, chiropractic,
optometrist and special health care services.
The Organization
The City is governed by a Home Rule Charter. The governing body
for the City is a Mayor and nine-member City Council elected two
from each of three wards and three at-large. The Mayor and
Councilmembers are elected to four-year overlapping terms. The
Detroit Lakes Development Authority is the development arm of
the City. Various Boards and Commissions advise the City
Council.
The City employs 75 full-time and 35 part-time and seasonal
staff.
The General Budget is $4.6 million and the total budget,
including enterprise funds, is $26.3 million.
City Services
Municipal services include water and wastewater utilities. Water
is provide through wells and the storage capacity is over 1
million gallons. The wastewater treatment plant has a capacity
of 1.62 million gpd. The Detroit Lakes Public Utility owns and
maintains a 10 mega watt emergency generating facility and a
complete electric distribution system. Electrical power is
purchased through contracts with the Western Area Power
Association and Missouri River Energy Services. The Public
Utilities Department is also an internet provider through
Lakesnet.
Police protection is provided by a force consisting of 15
full-time sworn officers and 2 full-time support staff. The
Police Chief is appointed by the Mayor and reports directly to
the City Administrator. Fire services are provided by a
30-member volunteer Fire Department and are extended to the
Townships of Detroit, Lakeview and Erie through a contractual
agreement. The fire insurance rating is Class 5.
The City and Becker County own and operate a municipal airport.
The City owns and operates a municipal liquor store.
The Position
The City Administrator works under the policy guidance of the
City Council and the Public Utilities Commission and is
responsible for the coordination of all municipal operations,
supervision of staff, and financial management. The City
Administrator also serves as the City Clerk-Treasurer, Executive
Director of the Development Authority and Secretary to the
Public Utilities Commission.
Specific duties of the City Administrator include:
Prepare and monitor the annual budget, coordinate financial
planning and supervise investment activities.
Assists Department Heads to hire, promote, discipline and
discharge City employees. Make recommendations to the City
Council as to the employment of Department Heads and as to the
wages and benefits of all City employees.
Administer personnel policies and programs.
Provide leadership in the development of short and long range
planning.
Provide professional advice to the City Council and Department
Heads.
Make presentations to councils, boards, commissions, civic
groups and the general public.
Ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws.
Coordinate activities of the City Council and serve as liaison
between the Council and citizens, commissions, boards, and
others.
Perform risk management administration and coordinate
insurance programs.
Work with the City Attorney to plan and supervise legal
activities.
Oversee election duties.
Background and Experience
Qualified Candidates for the City Administrator position will
possess a four year degree in public administration, political
science, business management or a closely related field and a
minimum of five years experience as a municipal administrator.
Preferred background includes:
Strong budget and financial planning experience.
Understanding of economic development activities including
downtown development and corridor development.
Solid understanding of infrastructure repair and replacement.
Knowledge of grant writing and municipal financing options to
include TIF.
Understanding of electric, water, sewer and internet utility
operations.
Knowledge of planning and zoning issues and the annexation
process.
Commitment to natural resource preservation and environmental
issues.
Background in union and human resources activities,
performance evaluation and staff development.
Experience in strategic planning and council governance
issues.
Strong background in strategic planning, goal setting and SWOT
analysis.
Significant knowledge of technology pertaining to municipal
operations.
Experience working with city or county elected officials.
Management Capabilities
Take a leadership role in the community. Meet and collaborate
with school, county and chamber officials on activities and
issues that affect the community as a whole.
Possess the diplomatic and negotiation skills necessary to
handle union issues.
Foster effective working relationships with contractors and
the building department.
Serve with the Mayor as spokesperson for the City.
Be an independent thinker that is willing to advocate for your
beliefs.
Develop ideas to bring to the table for Council consideration.
Develop succession planning for Department Head turnover.
Contemporary Community/City Priorities
Spend the necessary time to become familiar with local
politics and issues.
Work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on the
project to realign U.S. Highway 10 through the City. Coordinate
business and transportation issues during reconstruction.
Prepare for the Gateway Redevelopment Project as part of the
highway relocation plan.
Manage the update of the Comprehensive Plan and the proposed
annexation plans of several areas into the City, including
utility extensions.
Oversee plans for expansion of the Industrial Park and airport
runway extensions.
Develop more active housing programs.
Evaluate and revise ordinances and codes and make
recommendations for changes.
Initiate long term strategic planning for the City Council and
Utility Commission.
Coordinate with state and federal agencies on airport and
highway transportation regulations.
Become active in the legislative process and with regional
organizations.
Work with development partners on job creation strategies.
Evaluate staffing levels and staff assignments and define
employee policies. Initiate a staff development program.
Evaluate Council Chamber technology and make recommendations
to maximize the quality of cable TV and public presentations.
Redesign and update the City web site.
Develop long term funding strategies for Community Center
operations.
Administer bonding processes for improvement projects.
Work with the DNR and Watershed District on wetland and
watershed issues.
Working with consultant engineers and City staff, manage the
Citys street reconstruction program.
Announcement
City Administrator, Detroit Lakes, MN (pop. 8,300). Starting
Salary mid $80s to mid $90s. One Administrator since 1990. Prime
tourist area located in west central Minnesota within 25 miles
of 412 lakes Responsible for 75 full-time employees, GF budget
of $4.6 million and total budget of $26.3 million with
enterprise funds. Requires a four year degree in public
administration, political science, business management or a
closely related field and a minimum of five years experience as
a municipal administrator. Qualified candidates will have
experience in budgeting/finance, economic development,
infrastructure improvements, public utilities operations and a
collaborative leadership style. Position Profile available. Send
resume by 7/17/07 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.detroit-lakes.mn.us
Timetable
7/17/07 Deadline for Application
8/14/07 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
8/24 and 8/25/07 Interviews/Selection
October 2007 Start Date
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