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�� ��-.—� , _ � � � To: City Council From: Neal Beets Date: Thursday, Apri120,2006 Re: Councilmember Ihlan's Motion Not to Fill the Community Development Director Position at this Time I provided a memo to you last week about this subject. A copy is attached. I write to respond to Councilmember Ihlan's recent memo. I acknowledge the power of the Council under state law to freeze hiring for one or more positions. I acknowledge the power of the Council under state law to create a combined Assistant City Manager-Community Development Manager position, or some other type of hybrid position, if the Council wants. I acknowledge the power of the Council under state law to reorganize city departments. See City Attorney opinion letter, attached. But I continue to believe it would be an unwise use of that Council power here and now with respect to the imminent departure of our Community Development Manager in ten days. 2. I don't believe there has been any response to the points I made last week: namely, we have three new staff inembers in the Community Development Department from outside this organization who need guidance and direction, my departure could take many months, and important positions like Community Development Manager ought not remain vacant indefinitely. 3. No information has been brought forward to suggest that our long- standing position of Community Development Manager should change. The position of Community Development Director has been a full-time position since the City Council created that position in the 1980's. I have not seen any evidence that something has happened to lead one to conclude that this important position can remain vacant indefinitely or can be filled part-time while the same individual also serves as Assistant City Manager or in some other capacity. Nor has any information been brought forward that the function of Community Development Manager can be successfully contracted out (which, of course, was the way it was