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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: May 21, 2024 <br /> CONSENT <br /> <br />AGENDA ITEM: Approve City Planner promotion and approve Planning Assistant job <br />description and authorize posting. <br />SUBMITTED BY: Karissa Goers, Administrative Services Director <br />REVIEWED BY: Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />We were not successful in hiring a Senior Planner for the Community Development department. <br />The Community Development Director would like to reorganize the department in order to <br />support current staff with a career path and encourage retention with the City. In lieu of hiring a <br />senior planner, we would like to promote the current planning assistant to a city planner and hire <br />a planning assistant. This would allow the department to grow from the bottom up, with staff <br />being trained and learning the City’s procedures. This change would enhance the Community <br />Development department and could be a strategic solution to succession planning. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Should the Council promote Ashley Monterusso to City Planner, approve the Planning Assistant <br />job description and advertise to fill the Planning Assistant position? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />Ashley was hired as the Planning Assistant in October 2023. She has her master’s degree in <br />Urban and Regional Planning and worked for the University of Wisconsin for 1.5 years as a <br />coordinator working on sustainability projects. She hit the ground running at Lake Elmo and has <br />been assisting the City Planner with plan reviews and other projects. <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />This position has been included in the 2024 budget. <br /> <br />OPTIONS: <br /> <br />1) Approve the promotion of Ashley Monterusso and post for the Planning Assistant. <br />2) Do not promote Ashley Monterusso. <br />3) Do not update job description or advertise for Planning Assistant. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />If removed from the consent agenda: <br />“Motion to promote Ashley Monterusso to City Planner” <br />“Motion to authorize job description and advertise the position of Planning Assistant.” <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />• Planning Assistant Job Description <br />• Planning Assistant Job Posting