City to hire manager to boost local economy

<p>City officials have announced plans to hire a new employee to attract and manage business opportunities in Petaluma in order to improve the local economy.</p><p>An “economic development manager” position will be created based on unanimous council direction, and is built into the city's 2011 budget that the city plans to adopt in the coming weeks, said City Manager John Brown.</p><p>While some of the roles of the position are still being determined, the job will largely be a “multitasking” position, said Brown.</p><p>“It runs the gamut, from establishing and running programs here in the city ... to regional coordination,” he said.</p><p>The job may include serving as an intermediary between businesses and government, networking and publicizing business opportunities in Petaluma, packaging real estate deals and other roles.</p><p>Brown said he budgeted about $140,000 for the management position.</p><p>“I've built it into the budget,” said Brown. “It gives us an opportunity to go ahead and hire someone.”</p><p>Recruiting for the position will begin soon.</p><p>“These positions exist in a number of cities — it wouldn't be that hard to find one,” said Brown.</p><p>Council members all agreed that the position will help attract businesses to town to increase sales tax revenue.</p><p>Councilmember Teresa Barrett said that “no one on staff right now has the time” to focus on economic development exclusively.</p><p>“I think it's a great idea,” said Councilmember Mike Harris about the position. “Economic development is sorely needed in our community. We can all agree on that.”</p><p>Brown said that the position will also be tied to the city's Economic Strategic Plan, a consultant-created study that the city commissioned in November for $139,000. The study will reveal strengths and weaknesses in Petaluma's economy, and directions and plans, which the new employee will act on. The release of the study was pushed back recently from May to late June or early August to get more thorough data, said Brown.</p><p>Brown said that the position could be filled by a private consultant or may be a job on the city staff.</p><p>Some council members, including Mike Harris and David Rabbitt, indicated the desire for a privatized position that they say may move more quickly on business concerns.</p><p>Brown said that for the time being, a staff position would allow the employee to build relationships and establish a long-term program.</p><p>“I'm recommending a staff position at this point,” he said.</p><p> “What I'm looking for is a person that is going to be invested in the place and will hopefully be here in the long term.”</p><p>(Contact Philip Riley at philip.riley@arguscourier.com)</p>