Laserfiche WebLink
<br />, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />~ <br />~~HILLS <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />Agenda Item 6.A. <br /> <br />October 26, 2005 <br /> <br />TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members <br /> <br />FROM: Michelle A. Wolfe, City Administrator <br />Schawn P. Johnson, Assistant to the City Adminislrator$ZS <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Appointment of Karen Barton as Director of Community Development <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />The position of Director of Community Development became vacant when Scott Clark accepted <br />a new position with the City of Elk River in September. The City received 20 applicalions for the <br />open position. Eleven candidates were selected to participate in the first round interviews. The <br />first round of interviews was conducted by the City Administrator and Assistant to the City <br />Administrator. After reviewing the eleven candidates, City slaff elected to pursue two <br />candidates. The top two candidates were asked to participate in a personnel assessment session <br />with a certified psychologist. The intent of the persounel assessment was to determine the <br />candidate's abililies, attitudes, and personality characteristics as it relates to the Director of <br />Community Development position. On October 10"" one of the finalists requested that his name <br />be pulled from consideration for the Director of Community Development position. The second <br />round of interviews was conducted on October 24th The candidate was asked to interview with <br />two different panels. The first panel consisted of two Community Development Directors (Tom <br />Simonson, City of Shoreview and Kim Lindquist, City of Rosemount) and a consultant (Mark <br />Rut1) from Ehlers & Associates. The second interview panel included Mayor Beverly <br />Aplikowski, City Councilmember Brenda Holden, City Councijmember David Grant, City <br />Adminislrator Michelle Wolfe, and Assistant to the City Administrator Schawn Johnson. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br /> <br />The recommended candidate is Ms. Karen Barton. Ms. Barton has a Bachelor's Degree from the <br />University of Minnesota in Housing and Community Development. She also is a certified <br />housing inspcctor and has attended an Economic Development Course through the International <br />Economic Development Council. She was recently employed by the City of Gresham, Oregon as <br />thc City's Economic Development Manager. In that capacity she was responsible for the <br />oversighl and management of the City's Economic Development Department and the <br />Community Revitalization Department. Ms. Barton was also responsible for the implementation <br />the market tax credit, vertical housing tax credits, and the Transportation Orientated <br />Development program for the City of Gresham. She also has experience managing Conununity <br />