Minneapolis Park Watch

Last year (2003), the MPRB hired a search firm to find prospects to fill the position of superintendent. We recently obtained a copy of the text in the document the search firm sent to prospective applicants. The criteria all seem reasonable. Jon Gurban (current interim superintendent and appointed at the last moment by the Gang of Five in what clearly was a backroom deal) did not apply for the job, or follow any of the application requirements outlined here. Thus we have no way of knowing if he is at all qualified. The commissioners never received any further information beyond a brief, inaccurate resume handed out just minutes prior to the vote. What are they trying to hide? That Gurban is completely unqualified?

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Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Announcement of Vacancy Superintendent www.minneapolisparks.org

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Minneapolis, a city of 382,618 residents in the southeastern corner of Minnesota is the largest city in the state and the center of a metropolitan region of 2.7 million. The name Minneapolis combines the Dakota word for water (minne) with the Greek word for city (polis), a fitting name for a city with 18 of Minnesota's 12,034 lakes. Minneapolis began as a grain milling and timber city centered on the river. It has become a city renowned for great parks and open spaces, quality medical facilities and health care services, high tech medical devices industry, the arts and six major league sport teams. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are second only to New York in per capita theater and arts attendance. Besides being home to the world-renowned Tyrone Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis has more than 30 other theaters and two world-class museums and is home to the internationally acclaimed Minnesota Orchestra.

Outdoor attractions are just as popular as indoor. Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the country. Midwest Living ranked the Grand Rounds route, circling the Minneapolis lakes, as one of the three "best national scenic byways." Cooking Light included Minneapolis on its Top 10 list of major U.S. cities most fit for healthy living.

Minneapolis has become more ethnically and racially diverse over the last 45 years. Current demographics are 65% of European background (white) and 35% other ethnic and racial groups (an increase from 22% in 1990). Recent waves of immigration have brought people from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, accentuating the cosmopolitan feel of the city with an international flair. Racial diversity is most noticeable in the younger age categories, where approximately 40% of the population is children of color. Twenty- five percent of the people in Minneapolis are 19 years of age or younger, with a median age of 31.

Minneapolis has 81 residential neighborhoods offering a broad range of housing to 161,000 households. The median household income, while rising slightly for Minneapolis families, remained below the income level for the larger metropolitan area (69%) and U.S. (84%) residents as a whole. Forty-seven thousand students are enrolled in Minneapolis public primary and secondary schools. Non-public primary and secondary enrollment is about 7,000. The University of Minnesota (just minutes from downtown Minneapolis) has a current enrollment of 39,595 students.

MINNEAPOLIS PARK & RECREATION BOARD

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB), a semi-autonomous elected body of city government, oversees a diverse system of land and water areas. The Minneapolis Park System consists of more than 170 park properties including local and regional parks, the urban forest consisting of park and street trees; playgrounds, totlots, triangles, waterparks, golf courses, gardens, picnic areas, nature sanctuaries, athletic fields and the only National Urban Scenic Byway in the country (a 55-mile parkway system known as the Grand Rounds). Together, these properties total nearly 6,400 acres of land and water.

Over the years, our park system has grown from a few city parks to a large, nationally recognized and Gold Medal award-winning park system. Within the park system there are 49 neighborhood recreation centers; 11 supervised beaches; three outdoor swimming pools; two waterparks; 34 outdoor ice rinks; 2 year-round hockey rinks, one indoor ice skating and hockey complex; five 18-hole golf courses; one Executive 9-hole course; one Par-3 course; two Golf Learning Centers; 396 baseball and softball diamonds; and 167 tennis courts. There are also 38 miles of walking paths, 36 miles of biking/skating paths, a winter recreation complex at Wirth Park, the Neiman Youth Sports Complex at Fort Snelling and four dog parks.

The mission of the MPRB reflects what they believe and how they dedicate their efforts. "The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, on behalf of all current and future citizens of the City of Minneapolis, shall strive to permanently preserve, protect, maintain, improve and enhance the City's parkland and recreational opportunities." It is their belief that the parks and positive recreational experiences offer individuals and communities the fullest opportunity to maximize their potential.

Various divisions of the MPRB provide planning, development, maintenance, and police protection for the city's recreational facilities. Recreational, environmental and other park programs and services are provided for all ages and abilities, from toddlers to senior citizens.

Today, an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live and work is the parks and lakes in the Minneapolis Park System. City residents enjoy a park or open green space within six blocks of every household. The MPRB primarily serves the nearly 400,000 Minneapolis residents. Many people who don't live in Minneapolis also enjoy the Minneapolis Park System. Every year, there are 15 million visits to the regional parks in Minneapolis, second only to the Mall of America as the most visited place in the State of Minnesota.

The new Superintendent will become only the tenth superintendent to serve the MPRB since its inception in 1883. The Superintendent will provide leadership to about 600 full-time and over 1,000 part-time staff, and will report to the nine member elected Board of Park Commissioners.

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MPRB FUNDING & ANNUAL BUDGET

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board operating budget for 2003 totals $47.9 million, consisting of property taxes, Local Government Aid from the State of Minnesota, other revenue, governmental grants, pension credit and transfers. The new Superintendent will also oversee $12 million in Enterprise (non-tax) funds. The capital budget has averaged about $14.5 million for the last three years from all sources.

MPRB BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Bob Fine, President

first elected November 1997

Marie Hauser, Vice-President

first elected November 2001

Rochelle Berry Graves

first elected November 1993

Walt Dziedzic

first elected November 1997

John Erwin

first elected November 2001

Carol Kummer

Appointed to fill a vacancy in March 2003

Vivian Mason

Appointed to fill a vacancy in March 1997

First first elected in November 1997

Jon Olson

first elected November 2001

Annie Young

first elected November 1989

Seated: Annie Young, Marie Hauser, Bob Fine, Carol Kummer Standing: John Erwin, Rochelle Berry Graves, Vivian Mason, Jon Olson, Walt Dziedzic

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All Commissioners' terms expire December 31, 2005.

The Board will offer a minimum salary of $110,000 plus fringe benefits. Actual salary is negotiable, based on background and experience.

The Board of Commissioners of the MPRB wish to employ a Superintendent with the following qualifications and characteristics:
• A strong academic background in parks and recreation or related fields, such as urban planning and/or management.
• Five to seven years senior administrative experience. Experience as a superintendent preferred.
• Possess an understanding of the environment, sustainability and "green" technologies.
• Ability to create a sound fiscal program that includes budgeting, capital projects, budget management and the development of creative funding strategies.
• Strong personnel management skills, including the ability to assign personnel and delegate responsibilities with assurance and accountability.
• Proven track record of developing strong intergovernmental relationships and cooperative efforts.
• Ability to work with diverse cultures and immigrant communities.
• Evidence of skills and experience in developing short-range and long-range goals to incorporate the Board's Master Plan.
• An in-depth understanding of the board/superintendent relationship.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must demonstrate skills of a visionary, motivator and leader.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The Board of Commissioners of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board invite applications for the position of Superintendent. The Board wishes to select a Superintendent who will be employed and begin work no later than January 12, 2004. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applications or inquiries should be referred to:

Screening Committee — Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Illinois Association of Park Districts 211 East Monroe Street Springfield, Illinois 62701-1186 (217) 523-4554

Applications should be marked personal and confidential.

To receive consideration, the applicant's file must be received by November 3, 2003 and must contain the information below. All documents (other than education credentials) must have a left margin of 1.5 inches. Each numbered item below needs to be on a separate page.

1. Formal letter of application indicating reasons you desire to be a candidate.
2. Current resume needs to include, but not limited to, dates of employment, duties, number of employees supervised, and budget amount managed.

3. Complete list of accomplishments/completed projects.
4. Provide at least three (3) current letters of recommendation. These written references should include former employers, employees and board members.

5. You must also supply 3-6 references with complete name, address and phone number. These references need to be different than those providing letters of recommendation and will be contacted by the Illinois Association of Park Districts upon receipt.

6. Complete set of up-to-date credentials which include legal proof verifying educational degrees. Transcript or copy of diploma is acceptable.
7. Written permission to contact past employers and written permission to have a criminal background check and substance abuse test.
8. Typewritten responses to the following management questions. Please limit each response to one page.
   1. Describe your management style.
   2. State your philosophy of parks and recreation.
   3. What issues do you consider to be critically important to the park and recreation field?
   4. How are you attempting to resolve these issues?

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

TENTATIVE SELECTION PROCESS

November 3, 2003 ........................... Deadline for Receiving Applications November 19, 2003 ........................ Board Reviews Slate of Finalists December 1-7, 2003 ....................... Board Begins Interview Process December 10, 2003 ......................... Tentative Date for Selection of Superintendent January 12, 2004 ............................ Date of Employment

Posted by News junky on Mon, 02/16/2004 - 1:16pm. | Permalink | Login to post comments