06-24-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Brimeyer Group, Inc EXECimvt SCAJkCH CONSULTANTS 904 Main Street, Suite 205 Hopkins, MN 55343 (612) 945-0246 Effective Governing Boards Mayor and City Council City of Orono Box f>6 Crystal Bay, MN 55323 Route: ___Colleagues ----File in notebook The Brimeyer Group Assignments Recent/Current: •City Manager— City of Benson, MN • Director of Economic Development—City of Elk River, MN •General Manager of Municipal Untilities— City of Elk River, MN • County Administrator— St Louis County, MN •City Planner—City of Minnetonka, MN • Electrica’ Engineer- Williams Electric Representative Searches: • City Administrator— City of Northfield, MN •Clerk Administrator— City of Centerville, MN •Community Develop ment Director—City of Northfield, MN •City Manager—City of Mankato, MN •City Engineer/Director of Public Works—City of Marshall, MN •CouiUy Coordinator— Benton County, MN •City Administrator—City of Emmetsburg, lA •Manager of Administra tive Services—BWBR Architects •City Manager—City of Sheldon, lA • Executive Director— Southwest Minnesota Initiative Fund •Executive Director— League of Minnesota Cities Labor Task Force Findings Outlined One of the most difficult problems facing businesses today is finding qualified employees. Chaired by James Brimeyer, the Labor Task Force of the TvvinVVest Chamber of Com merce was asked to prepare a report identifying employment challenges. Following is a summary of the Task Force's findings —which was recently submitted to the TwinV\ est Board of Directors: • Transportation is also an employ ment concern. A long commute, parking ramp fees, and other trans portation expenses are obstacles — especially for minimum-wage and lower-wage employees. • Inadequate training in certain skill areas is another concern. • Today's workers are seeking more job flexibility, job sharing, and •opporhanities to work at home. • For some, welfare and other social ..programs meet more of a family's Key Employmcnl Issues *•>'' • The TwinWest service area and th.S..i state of Minnesota as a whole have a income provided from low-w’age jobs. low unemployment rate—under 3%. • Due to social security restrictions and other issues, companies may not be taking full advantage of the pool of potential employees who are part of the aging population • Affordable housing, which is unavailable in many communities,« is a barrier to employment. • The high cost of child care is a primary barrier for many potential employees. • For recent immigrants and other non-English-speaking Minnesotans the language barrier and the unavailability of English as a Second Language (ESL) programs are obstacles to employment. • Finally, due to employer trends of downsizing and restructuring, today's employee has less trust and feels that employers have little or no loyalty to their employees.