The City is well-known for a centrally located historic downtown that is not only a vital shopping area, but the location of many buildings of architectural distinction. Most notable, is the 1908 downtown bank designed by Prairie School architect Louis Sullivan that is on the National Historic Landmark. Tourist attractions include The Minnesota State Orphanage Museum and the Owatonna Arts Center and Sculpture Gardens. The Village of Yesteryear features 15 furnished buildings and a railroad station dating back to the 1850’s. Owatonna is home to the week-long Steele County Free Fair – Minnesota’s largest county fair. Community festivals are held throughout the year and include Festival of the Arts and CulturFest – a multi-cultural outdoor celebration. Recreation Surrounded by farmland and teeming with parks and trails, Owatonna is a great place for people who enjoy outdoor recreation and nature. The Owatonna Parks and Recreation Department maintains over 800 acres of parkland within a 24-park system. One of the most popular recreation areas is Kaplan’s Woods Parkway offering 225 acres for hiking, biking, jogging, skating, and cross-country skiing. Within this scenic parkway is 35-acre Lake Kohlmier that provides a bathhouse, concession stand, swimming beach, fishing piers and areas for canoeing. Other City parks feature volleyball, basketball, horseshoe and tennis courts, ball diamonds, skating rinks, and playgrounds. The Bike and Skate Park accommodates in-line skating. Central Park is used for special events including summer band concerts on the new Community Stage. One of the oldest parks is 38-acre Mineral Springs located on Maple Creek where park visitors may enjoy a drink of natural spring water and the story of Princess Owatonna. Located in the Park is the statue of Princess Owatonna, daughter of Chief Wabena who according to legend moved his tribe to the site allowing the Princess to recover her health by drinking the mineral waters. The Steele County Trail System provides 175 miles of groomed snowmobile trails connecting with five adjoining counties. Over 11 miles of cross country skiing trails can be found at Brooktree Golf Course, Kaplan’s Woods Parkway, Morehouse Park and Prairie Park. Golfers enjoy Hidden Creek Golf Club, an 18-hole championship links style golf course. The Four Seasons Centre, located at the Fairgrounds, is a popular complex used for ice skating, dry floor events and community events. Education and Health Care Owatonna Public School District 761 operates four elementary schools, one middle school, one junior high school, and a senior high school. Owatonna Public Schools educates over 5000 students annually in programs serving children and adults from pre-school to adulthood. Private schools serving Owatonna are El Shaddai Private School, Owatonna Christian School, St. Mary’s School, Pillsbury Baptist Bible College and the University of St. Thomas. Riverland Community College, MSU-Mankato, Concordia University and Crown College operate in a collaborative partnership at the Owatonna College and University Center to offer public higher education. Owatonna Hospital is a regional medical center providing quality, comprehensive care to patients in and around Steele County. The hospital provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency care services, as well as home and hospice care. The Owatonna Clinic/Mayo Health offers outpatient and specialty services and a full-service optical shop. A team of visiting specialists from Mayo Clinic see patients locally. The Organization The City of Owatonna was organized as a municipality in 1854. The City operates under a home rule charter form of government consisting of an eight-member City Council of which the Mayor is not a voting member. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term and Councilmembers are elected to four-year terms, with two members at-large and five members from wards. The 2007 general fund budget is $15.4 million and the total City budget is $28.8 million. The City currently has 134 full-time, 20 part-time and 430 seasonal employees City Services The Police Department employs a staff of 43 including the Police Chief, 3 Captains, 7 Patrol Sergeants, 5 Investigators, 20 Sworn Patrol plus support staff. The Dispatch Center operates under a joint agreement with two counties and three cities. The Fire Department employs a Chief, 7 full-time firefighters, 22 part-time firefighters and provides rural fire protection for the surrounding area. Owatonna Public Utilities is a community-owned water, internet access, electric and natural gas supplier, created by local residents more than 80 years ago to provide high quality, affordable services tailored to the unique needs of the Owatonna area. Owatonna Public Utilities serves 11,090 electric, 9,600 natural gas and 9,000 water customers. The Owatonna Degner Regional Airport is located northwest of the City. The primary runway is 5,500 foot, concrete paved and lighted. The Airport is equipped with an all weather precision Instrument Landing System (ILS). Senior Place is a subdivision of the Owatonna Park and Recreation Department dedicated for use by the residents over 50 years of age. The Owatonna Public Library provides for the informational, recreational, educational and cultural needs for the residents of Owatonna, Blooming Prairie and rural Steele County and offers collections of various media and access through technology to other resources. Organizational Chart  The Position The City Administrator reports to the Mayor and City Council. Specific duties include: • Advise the City Council on policy matters and implements Council policies. • Hire Department Directors and other City employees except those covered under civil service. • Represent the City in collective bargaining with employee groups. • Prepare and implement the annual budget with input from the Department Heads and Council. • Work with other governmental agencies such as Owatonna Public Utilities, Steele County, School District, State and Federal offices. • Perform statutory requirements of City Clerk. • Work with media representatives and make presentations at public events and meetings. Background and Experience Candidates for the City Administrator position must have a Master’s Degree in Public Administration or related field and a minimum of ten years local government management experience. Qualified candidates will possess: • Strong budget experience tied to strategic planning. • Solid experience in fiscal management. • Experience in downtown redevelopment. • Strong human resources background and experience in staff supervision, staff development, and the performance review process. • Experience in union activities. • Experience in strategic planning and goal setting. • Experience in economic development, redevelopment and housing activities with knowledge of public financing options. • Understanding of public safety issues. • Understanding of the legislative process. • Knowledge of airport management. • Experience in parks and trail development. • Desire for community involvement and public contact. Management Capabilities • Be assertive and confident when faced with confrontational situations. • Be attentive to bringing forward all sides of an issue. • Make changes in an organized and deliberate manner. • Provide communication and information to Council and staff to allow them to make decisions. • Take a leadership/management role, encourage staff accountability and enforce personnel rules equitably. • Take the time to see and meet with employees on site. • Provide strong leadership and direction to Council and staff through strategic planning. Be proactive in focusing on planning activities. • Become an active participant in the community through involvement with the Chamber, service clubs and the business community. • Understand how to deal effectively with diverse groups and different cultures. • Use available tools to communicate with the public about City activities. • Be a good listener. • Possess a good sense of humor. Current Activities: The following represent current and ongoing activities that the City Administrator is involved in either directly or indirectly as a liaison on behalf of the City. The activities are not ranked according to priority. It is anticipated that the new administrator will assist with prioritizing activities. • Implement plans for: - Trail expansion and Straight River park project - New Aquatic Center - Development of a Law Enforcement Center, in cooperation with Steele County. • Manage expected annual growth rate of 1-2% in population. • Evaluate and upgrade technology, including new financial software. • Take a leadership role in organizing a community-wide visioning process. • Explore options to determine possibilities for contracting selected city services. • Evaluate options for the use of the City hospital building, which will be available upon completion of the new Allina hospital. • Ensure the financial stability and the continued viability of the City’s Incubator Center. • Facilitate the process for the transfer of the community college/university center and campus to the MnScu system. • Collaborate with others on a process to plan for Phase II of the downtown Gateway project. • Maintain a liaison role with the Hwy 14 Bypass project, with MN/DOT and Steele County. • Oversee the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant to comply with federal and state regulations. • Work cooperatively on airport management and expansion issues. Announcement City Administrator, Owatonna, MN (pop. 24,000). Starting salary range mid-$90s to low $100s. Located in southern Minnesota at the crossroads of Interstate 35 and U.S. Highways 14 and 218. The City’s characteristic beauty, healthy economy, quality lifestyle and proximity to the Twin Cities metropolitan area are factors that have contributed to substantial growth over the last ten years. The City Administrator is responsible for 134 full-time employees, a general fund budget of $15.4 million and a total budget of $28.8 million. Position requires a Master’s degree in public administration or a related field, and a minimum of 10 years experience in a local government management position. Qualified candidates will have strong budget experience tied to strategic planning, background in downtown redevelopment and solid human resources and supervisory skills. Position Profile available. Apply by 8/24/07 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search; Fifty South Ninth Ave., Suite 101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone: (952) 945-0246 Fax: (952) 945-0102 e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web: www.brimgroup.com For more information, please visit www.ci.owatonna.mn.us Timetable |
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