Twelve Apply for Sisters Economic Development Manager Job

(This article appears in the 8/24/10 issue of the Nugget Newspaper)

By Bill Mintiens As of the deadline on Friday, August 6, EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) received 12 applications/résumés from people interested in the position of part-time economic development manager for Sisters, according to Erin Chaiet, EDCO operations manager. The Sisters City Council budgeted and approved $30,000 for the 2010/2011 fiscal year for the position. It will likely be at least the middle of September before a person (or firm) will be chosen to fill the position, an independent contractor's role, which runs through June, 2011. The need for the position, the actual position description, and the reporting structure have been controversial for several months. EDCO, having been asked by Mayor Kellstrom to "take the reins" regarding the position description, hiring process, and interview panel, began posting ads Thursday, July 22. EDCO directed people to a detailed online position description at www.edcoinfo.com, stating that "the independent contractor will provide staffing of the Sisters Business & Attraction Team (SBART) and coordinate with the City of Sisters and EDCO to provide economic development services for the greater Sisters Country area." When asked if all the city councilors had reviewed and agreed to EDCO's advertised position description (including reporting structure, goals, office location, etc.), Mayor Lon Kellstrom said, "No, they haven't. My choice was to keep the council out of it in favor of an arm's-length relationship in the hiring of the economic development director. We need an arm's-length arrangement, through EDCO, to keep the council out of trouble. We don't want to be accused of using public funds to hire a 'friend' of the council." The mayor was referring to Mac Hay, volunteer chair of SBART (Sisters Business Acquisition & Retention Team), one of the 12 candidates for the position. Councilor Sharlene Weed is not happy with Mayor Kellstrom's actions regarding the hiring process for Sisters' part-time economic development manager. "I spoke with Lon (Mayor Kellstrom) and he maintains his position that it was fine to move forward because the council would have an opportunity to ask questions and give final approval (to EDCO's recommendation on a candidate)," she said. "I really don't understand why he has chosen this approach. I don't see what he gains. And... the town loses by not having a rich discussion of the possibilities and arriving at a fully fleshed-out plan for the position. Now it appears that a person will be hired prior to council's approval and we will be asked for a rubber stamp. It's disappointing." When asked about the people comprising the interview panel, Roger Lee, EDCO executive director, said, "Some of people we'd asked to be part of the interview panel have not been all available all on the same day so we've had to change the schedule several times and mix of volunteers. It is a difficult time of year for scheduling." Mayor Kellstrom said recently, "We (the council) purposely stayed out of the choosing of the panel." Councilor Weed is not impressed. "I asked Lon who was on the interview committee... he said he didn't know." EDCO funds and manages economic development director positions in Redmond, Prineville, and Madras. Successful programs in both Prineville (acquisition of the Facebook facility) and Redmond (Altrec, T-Mobile, and several other businesses) give EDCO experience and credibility with hiring and management. When asked about the delays in this hiring process, Roger Lee, in an e-mail dated August 19, wrote, "There are a number of unanswered questions including when the person/contractor will be available, the council's approval, etc. I don't see the timing as a big issue, other than the fact that we would prefer to be at this stage at the very start of the fiscal year (July 1); the schedule will just have to be revised and with it, potentially, the expenditure. If approved, we are hopeful that a start date would be established later in the month of September." Apparently no one's in a big hurry to help Sisters recover from our state-designated "severely distressed community" status. Acknowledging the delay, Mayor Kellstrom said, "It just took a lot longer to formulate the position on EDCO's part and to cover all the legal aspects. The good thing about it, though, is that Mac (Hay) is still doing his SBART stuff." The city council has been on recess this month. Their next scheduled workshop and regular council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 9. "We are planning on taking this up on September 9 in terms of accepting the agreement (independent contractor agreement) and discussing EDCO's suggested candidate for the position. EDCO will likely make an offer to a candidate on September 10," said Mayor Kellstrom. So the 12 candidates will be interviewed over the next few weeks, a top candidate (or firm) will be chosen, and that person (or firm) will be presented to the council on September. In an e-mail dated August 17 to Mayor Kellstrom, Councilor Weed asked, "Can you please explain to me why EDCO is proceeding with this when the position has never been approved by the city council? I have never seen a plan for this position. I would like to look at different options - including a discussion with the fellow who contacted me a couple weeks ago who said his consulting firm could provide concrete deliverables for our town for less than $30,000. Please stop this process until the council has had a chance to weigh in." Other city councilors had the opportunity to comment on these issues but declined to do so.