City Development Director THE COMMUNITY

Located in southeastern Wisconsin on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River, the City of

Racine lies at the heart of the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, approximately 60 miles north of

Chicago and 30 miles south of Milwaukee. The city encompasses 15 square miles; it is bordered

by Lake Michigan and the Villages of Caledonia, Wind Point, North Bay, Elmwood Park, and

Mount Pleasant. According to the 2013 Census the City is home to 78,199 making it the state’s

fifth largest City. It also serves as the county seat for Racine County, with a population of nearly

200,000. Racine’s population is diverse with African-American, Hispanic/Latino, or multi-racial

persons representing approximately 45% of its population in 2010, 15% of the city’s population

reports speaking a language other than English at home.

Racine has capitalized on its orientation on Lake Michigan. Downtown Racine and the lakefront

area, in particular, have undergone substantial private and public investment and development.

Festival Park, the Racine Civic Centre, museums, the Laurel Clark Fountain, high-rise

condominiums, and town homes symbolize the City’s renaissance and its active community life.

Architectural highlights include buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and sculptural reliefs

on the county courthouse designed by noted sculptor Carl Milles. New developments are also

planned along the Root River.

Racine’s local economy is also transforming. With its origins as a manufacturing center, Racine

is home to companies that make farm machinery, processed foods, floor wax, machine tools,

automobile parts, and electrical equipment. Major Racine businesses include S.C. Johnson &

Son, Modine Manufacturing, In-Sink-Erator, and Twin Disk. Integrated Manufacturing and

Engineering Technology Center reflect ground-breaking developments that will define Racine’s

future.

Wind Point Lighthouse, located just north of the city, is a celebrated icon of the Racine area

reflecting the dominance of Lake Michigan. Residents and visitors enjoy the expanses of

shoreline and the multitude of recreational opportunities it offers. The harbor and marinas

provide access to boating, kayaking, and sport fishing. Parks line the lakeshore and provide a

greenway along the Root River, offering many opportunities for strolls and enjoying the City’s

natural amenities. The Root River provides yet another venue for fishing and kayaking,

complete with a Class III rapids located down river from Quarry Lake Park. The Root River

Parkway Plan presents prospects for hiking, walking, jogging, cross-country ski trails and bicycle

trails.

The City of

Racine,

Wisconsin,

seeks a

progressive

manager with

planning

expertise and a

record of

successful

development

projects to be

its next...

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Racine has a rich tradition of civic engagement. A 2003 recipient of the National Civic League’s All-America City award, Racine

and the Greater Racine Area were recognized for their work on three programs: an intergovernmental cooperation agreement that

provided the City with funds from outlying communities to redevelop deteriorated areas of the City and to provide funding in

accordance with a use-based formula for various public improvements; the West Sixth Street revitalization effort to rebuild City

houses, and the Youth as Resources program which provided grants to youth-designed and youth-led community projects.

Racine’s residents enjoy a thriving community life filled with ethnic festivals and events and many local cultural attractions. The

City annually hosts the Spirit of Racine triathlon and professional beach volleyball events. Racine was named the Corona Light EVP

Pro Beach Volleyball Host City of the Year for three consecutive years. Racine's North Beach has earned the national Clean

Beaches Council “Blue Wave Beach” certification for water quality and habitat conservation for five years in a row. Plus, you can’t

find kringle anywhere like you can in Racine.

Cultural attractions include the Racine Art Museum and the

recently opened Racine Heritage Museum. The Racine

Theatre Guild, the Racine Symphony, the Choral Arts

Society, and the Wustum Museum of Fine Arts provide an

ever-changing array of cultural offerings. Area residents also

take advantage of the many cultural, sports, and

entertainment opportunities available in Chicago and

Milwaukee.

THE COMMUNITY CONT’D

The Department of City Development is organized in two divisions: Planning and Redevelopment and Housing and Community

Development. A third division, Building Inspections, will be added to the Department to capture the synergy that exists between the

development and inspections functions and create even greater opportunities for cooperation. This transition will occur after the new

Director of City Development is on board. When the transition is complete, the Department is anticipated to have an operating

budget of $1.8 million and a nineteen-member staff.

The Planning and Redevelopment Division anticipates the changing physical needs of the city to support economic development

and the city’s quality of life. It works on a variety of redevelopment projects and studies and administers the city’s 12 active tax

increment districts. This division also handles administration of the city’s development controls to maintain and increase property

values, minimize or eliminate conflicts between neighboring land uses, and to expeditiously and fairly decide issues that come

before the department. Division staff works closely with the City Plan Commission, the Redevelopment Authority, Landmarks

Preservation Commission, and ad hoc committees.

The Housing and Community Development Division is responsible for the management of funds received by the city from the

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City of Racine is a direct entitlement community that receives

approximately $1.7 million annually in Community Development Block Grant funds. It also receives annual funding of

approximately $400,000 under the federal HOME Program and $150,000

under the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). This Division also operates

a revolving loan fund to rehab owner-occupied homes for households

meeting federal income eligibility requirements. The Division works with

the Community Development Committee.

Over the years, the Building Inspections function, which soon will

become part of the Department of City Development, has worked closely

with the Planning and Redevelopment Division to create a shared database

for permitting. Building Inspections is also responsible for the zoning

enforcement and ensuring that properties are in compliance with

conditional permits.

THE DEPARTMENT

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POSITION

In addition to overall administration, leadership, and

management of the Department of City Development, the

Director of City Development is taking an expanded role in

economic development efforts to attract multi-use developments

and to ensure successful implementation of these projects. The

City Development Director also plays an active role in

overseeing comprehensive planning, zoning administration and

code enforcement, and inspections and administration of

Federal Programs, such as the Community Development Block

Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships programs.

The position is responsible for policy development, budget

management, and capital improvement programming that

supports community and economic redevelopment. The

position reports to the City Administrator and the Mayor.

Major duties of the position include but are not limited to:

Planning, organizing, controlling, integrating and evaluating

the department’s work; developing, implementing and

monitoring long-term plans, goals, and objectives focused

on achieving the City’s mission.

Leading community and economic development initiatives

to revitalize the City, increase its tax base, and create new

jobs.

Serving as staff to the City Plan Commission,

Redevelopment Authority, and the Community

Development Committee, Secretary to the City Plan

Commission, and as Executive Director and Secretary to the

Redevelopment Authority; performing planning services as

set forth in City ordinances and Wisconsin Statutes.

Advising the Mayor and members of the Common Council

on various matters pertaining to City Development.

Overseeing the administration of the CDBG, HOME, and

ESG Programs and the City Housing Program; including

applications for federal and state grants-in-aid relating to

redevelopment plans, urban renewal plans, and other

programs.

Developing comprehensive plans and programs for

utilization of land and physical structures of the City, urban

renewal activities, housing, and economic development

program

Collaborating with civic leaders, local authorities and land

planning specialists to devise and recommend arrangements

of land for residential, commercial, industrial, and

community use.

Compiling and analyzing data on economic, social, and

physical factors affecting land use and preparing or

requisitioning graphic or narrative reports on data.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Strategic perspective. Has the vision and foresight to iden-

tify community and economic development and redevelop-

ment opportunities and the persistence and tenacity to bring

them to fruition.

Business and financial acumen. Has considerable experi-

ence managing complex operating budgets and development

agreements; ensures that all programs, projects and activities

funded with grant monies are in compliance with applicable

funding conditions.

Collaboration. Works collaboratively with other City de-

partments and builds effective relationships with businesses,

developers, and local, regional, state and federal government

officials; looks for opportunities to develop partnerships that

leverage resources and achieve mutual interests

Professional competence. Recognized by colleagues as an

expert and trusted advisor on planning, community and eco-

nomic development, and redevelopment.

Management expertise. Adept in managing people, pro-

cesses and department performance consistent with the de-

mands of a major city; sets clear expectations for the depart-

ment and fosters an environment that values teamwork, in-

novation and accountability.

Excellent interpersonal skills. Approachable, establishes

and maintains effective working relationships with a broad

array of individuals; effectively represents the City in a vari-

ety of forums and to the general public.

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Build on the city’s economic development successes. Recent

economic development successes demonstrate that Racine is

transitioning from a predominantly manufacturing economy to a

more diversified economy that includes mixed use developments

and advanced manufacturing. The Director of City Development

will play a major role working closely with City leaders and

economic development agencies, including the Racine County

Economic Development Corporation, to identify and compete for

prospective developments that can increase the City’s tax base

and create jobs.

Manage high profile redevelopment projects. Two high

profile redevelopment projects are underway. The first is

Machinery Row, located in downtown Racine with frontage on

the Root River. It is a mixed use development in a tax increment

district that includes the renovation of existing warehouses and

construction of new buildings as well as infrastructure

improvements and an open space component. A developer has

acquired the property and the project is now in the detailed

design phase. The Director of City Development will be actively

involved in the implementation of the Machinery Row

development. Another high profile redevelopment project that is

taking shape is in Racine’s Uptown area, near S. C. Johnson &

Son and Twin Disk. The Director of City Development will also

be involved in this project. The Uptown redevelopment project

will include mixed use development and housing and require the

creation of a new tax increment district.

Implement a new department structure. The Common

Council has approved plans to assign the building inspections

function in the Department of City Development and to hire a

manager to oversee the Housing and Community Development

Division. Implementation of these changes to the department

structure will not occur until the new Director of City

Development is on the job.

Oversee the Regency regional mall study. Planning studies

often lead to new redevelopment projects. The City of Racine is

working with the owners of the Regency Mall, the only enclosed

mall in the City, and two of its anchor stores to study options for

revitalizing the mall and enhancing retail. The Director of City

Development will be participating in this study.

Assess the housing rehabilitation revolving loan fund. The

City of Racine recognizes the importance of maintaining its

existing housing stock. The City has operated a revolving loan

fund that has enabled homeowners who meet federal income

eligibility requirements to undertake home improvements with

low-interest loans. The number of loan applications has been

declining, which raises a policy question of whether grants would

be a more effective vehicle to maintain existing homes. The

Director of City Development will be involved in policy analysis

activities related to this question.

HIGH PRIORITY ISSUES

Effective communicator. Articulate, honest, direct and

respectful; clearly communicates complicated concepts to

promote an understanding of planning and redevelopment

issues and engage others in conversations that build

consensus.

Analytical thinker. Skilled in analyzing, appraising, and

organizing facts dealing with difficult and complex

situations and presenting findings and recommendations in a

clear and logical order in written reports and oral

presentations.

Intergovernmental savvy. Demonstrates a thorough grasp

of intergovernmental processes and decision-making related

to planning, redevelopment, and housing and community

development programs and activities.

Personal integrity. Understands the political environment

but is not political; has the fortitude to make

recommendations that may be unpopular and the

professional resilience to implement policy directives that

differ from recommended actions.

CANDIDATE PROFILE CONT’D

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COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Salary range: $95,782 to $129,303, depending on qualifications. Competitive benefit package and participation in the Wisconsin

Retirement System. Relocation assistance negotiable.

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major work in urban planning, public administration, or a closely

related field and a Master's degree in public administration, management, or a closely related field. Ten years of progressively re-

sponsible experience in urban planning and community and economic development, of which five years are in a managerial role.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, community and economic development, redevelopment,

housing, construction and maintenance; familiarity with land economics, urban design, municipal finance and other related subjects

as applied to community and economic development. Thorough knowledge of laws and regulations related to all aspects of munici-

pal and regional planning, community and economic development, housing, and federal and state grants.

Qualified candidates please submit your cover letter and resume online by visiting our website at https://waters-

company.recruitmenthome.com/. This position is open until filled; however, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply

no later than February 19, 2016. Following this date, applications will be screened against criteria outlined in this brochure. On-site

interviews will be offered to those candidates named as finalists, with reference checks, background records checks, including credit

history, and academic and employment verifications conducted after receiving candidates’ permission. For more information please

contact Sharon Klumpp at sklumpp@waters-company.com or by calling 651.223.3053.

For additional information, visit the City of Racine’s web site, www.cityofracine.org.

The City of Racine, Wisconsin, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.