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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Chris Heineman, City Administrator <br />Heidi Heller, City Clerk/HR Manager <br /> <br />DATE: February 12, 2024 <br /> <br />RE: Community Relations Manager/Assistant City Administrator Job Description <br /> <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED <br />Review proposed Community Relations Manager/Assistant City Administrator job description <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />During the 2022 Strategic Plan Update discussions, Council determined there was a need to add <br />a position that could focus more on communications and community relations and separate these <br />duties from the Parks & Recreation Director position description. A new Community Relations <br />Manager position was created, and Laura Linehan was hired in July 2023. <br /> <br />The Community Relations Manager position took the lead on several communications initiatives <br />and strategic plan priorities during the first 6-12 months of the position. In 2024, Laura began to <br />take on several higher-level special projects, demonstrating her skills in project management. <br /> <br />As the city has grown, there has become a real need for someone to address high-level special <br />projects to help offset some responsibilities from the City Administrator. The City Council has <br />discussed the possibility of adding an Assistant City Administrator position for nearly 10 years. <br />With the recent resignation of the City Administrator, the City Council is asked to consider the <br />possibility of creating an Assistant City Administrator position. <br /> <br />Laura Linehan came to the City of Little Canada with over 10 years of department management <br />experience in Administration, Human Resources, Parks & Recreation, Communications, and <br />Information Technology. Laura also served for eight months in an acting administrator capacity. <br />Laura has a Bachelor of Public Administration from Winona State University and a Master of <br />Public Administration Degree from Northern Illinois University. <br /> <br />City staff met with the City Council Personnel Committee on January 27 to discuss this issue. <br />Due to the unique skills and experience that Laura Linehan brings to the City of Little Canada, <br />staff and the Personnel Committee are recommending the City Council reclassify this position to <br />be a Community Relations Manager / Assistant City Administrator. <br /> <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT <br />The impact to the 2025 budget for this reclassification and promotion is approximately $14,500. <br />It is anticipated that the impact of this promotion can be addressed through salary savings from <br />the three to four-month vacancy of the City Administrator position. If approved, the anticipated <br />impact on the 2026 budget and lev y would be approximately $18,000 (approximately .5%).