City Council Meeting Date: August 19, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Communications & Human Resources Director Michelle Mahowald
Title
Consider Resolution Approving Appointment of Mikayla Schmidt as Interim Community Development Director.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends approval of the attached Resolution Approving Appointment of Mikayla Schmidt as Interim Community Development Director.
Summary Report:
As written in the City Charter Section 7.3 Power and Duties of the Administrator, Subd. 2. With the approval of the council, the administrator shall appoint and may remove the finance director, the city clerk and other department heads. After careful consideration, City Administrator Martig has selected a finalist to fill the position.
Mikayla started with the City of Northfield as an Administrative Assistant in 2013. She served as Interim Housing Manager and Community Development Specialist before taking over as the City Planner in 2019, a role she continues to serve in.
Attached are the resolution (attachment 1) and the tentative process for filing the Community Development Director position (attachment 2).
City Administrator Martig will provide an update at the meeting. He will be available for questions.
Alternative Options:
Decline the approval of the City Administrator appointment. If this occurs City Administrator Martig could either bring forth a future appointment or leave the position open during the interim and assume the additional duties himself. These are not recommended options but are provided.
Financial Impacts:
The position is eligible for benefits and pay within the job classification and personnel policy and will be within operating funds budgeted for 2025.
Tentative Timelines:
The start date for the position is September 12, 2025. Current Community Development Director Jake Reilly’s last day will be September 11, 2025.