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1 <br /> t <br /> Organization <br /> The first component essential to a successful economic development program is to <br /> ensure that the organizational capabilities are in place for ED to succeed. In order to <br /> accomplish that success, we recommend that Arden Hills address the following <br /> organizational issues: <br /> 1) Economic and Community Development Director. <br /> For economic development to succeed, there needs to be someone in the community <br /> with the title for such responsibilities. Currently, there is no one on City staff with the <br /> title of economic development director. In order to begin the process of addressing this <br /> critical issue an economic development director needs to be put in place. Full time <br /> economic development staff is not warranted at this time. However, a minimum of part <br /> time attention to economic development is warranted for consideration. Our first <br /> recommendation is that the awareness of this priority be recognized through title <br /> changes. We would recommend that the title of the Community Development Director <br /> be changed to Economic and Community Development Director as soon as possible. <br /> 2) Support Staff for Economic Development <br /> The new Economic and Community Development Director cannot assume the additional <br /> responsibilities of their job without sufficient-staff to.manage that task. If the City <br /> adopts the recommendations of this plan, a fiull time economic development <br /> administrative assistant will be requited. This position may be able to be supported from <br /> • other capacities in the City's system:in the early'stages, but it cannot be sustained <br /> without permanent staffing added to support this goal. An individual needs to be put in <br /> place to assume the support responsibilities for this priority. <br /> 3) Strengthening`of City-,M Position <br /> Economic development in Arden Hills will succeed when city staff turnover is reduced to <br /> levels;representative of the industry. In order to accomplish that task, the City Manger <br /> must be'commissioned with the responsibility of the administrative responsibilities of the <br /> city while the City Council bears the responsibility for policy and legislative roles. We <br /> would recommend that a consultant be employed to recommend the most effective roles <br /> and responsibilities for the City Manager and Council in managing the city. <br /> Working Copy— Not for Circulation 1 <br />