10/13/1993 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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2u COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION OCTOBER 13; 1993 full-time'dir.ector because economic development is gaining momentum..inthe City and a number.of projects are now happening. He also had kept an informal record of the number of hours he worked in September. The total was 168 hours which is equal to a full-time position. Mr. Wessel also noted that there are more and more qualifying prospects and time is needed to give them the proper attention and not just "skim the surface". Mr. Wessel told the City Council that it. is his opinion that 1994 will be a very important year for economic development in the City. Probably more important that 1995 or 1996 because of the number of decisions to be made in the immediate future. The City Council discussed whether the full-time position should be a contract person or an employee. Mr. Wessel explained that a contract person would not carry the stigma of a government employee. Mr. Wessel explained that he will need to have a decision from the City Council on this matter soon because he is a consultant for other businesses and he will need to know how much time to commit to the director's position if he is to continue. Mayor Reinert asked Mr. Wessel if the City Council decides not to fund a full-time position, would the City have to look for a new director? Mr. Wessel said that he was not threatening to quit if the position continued to be part-time. He just wanted to know how much time to commit to the position so that he can let other employers know how much of his time he can devote to their needs. However, he said to do the job right a full-time director is needed. Mr. Schumacher told the City Council that he is working with NSP and may be able to negotiate partial funding for a full-time position. He also noted that another funding option may be TIF dollars. State statutes allow up to 10% of TIF income to be spent on personnel. Mayor Reinert asked about clerical support and furniture. Mr. Wessel said that the current part-time support is sufficient. The front end person (full-time director) is critical. Mayor Reinert noted that several new staff positions are proposed for 1994 and asked where these persons would be working. Mr. Schumacher explained that an engineering technician and secretary are requested.. At this time, administrative staff is considering toying the Parks *and Recreation Department to the park building on Lake Drive. This would free enough area for the two (2) new staff persons. Mr. Schumacher noted that a new Public Works PAGE 2 1 1