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City manager named IPG director after board quits

City manager Kathleen Soltis officially has oversight of Prince George's economic development activities.
IPG-board.28.jpg

City manager Kathleen Soltis officially has oversight of Prince George's economic development activities.

During Monday night's meeting, city council approved a new shareholder resolution naming Soltis as the sole director of Initiatives Prince George following the mass resignation of the volunteer board of directors more than a week ago.

According to IPG's articles of incorporation, the city, as the organization's sole shareholder, can "elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors" if there are no directors.

If the company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors.

As of Jan. 1, 2016, economic development will become a function of city hall since the city is not renewing its agreement with IPG to act on its behalf.

Members of council took the opportunity Monday night to offer their thanks for the work of those who volunteered to oversee the corporation over the years.

"Certainly we've got an outstanding board that's on its way out right now, but we look back over all the years from the Regional Development Corporation to the Prince George Development Corporation to Initiatives Prince George, we've seen a steady stream of excellence in that board," Coun. Garth Frizzell said.

Coun. Frank Everitt also gave plaudits to the IPG staff.

Despite striking a committee in mid June to advise on the staffing and resource levels required to meet the city's economic development goals as well as finalize the transition plan to switching the operations from IPG to the city's planning department, membership has yet to be finalized.

But hiring is already moving ahead. A posting for a new economic development manager was put up on July 23, signaling that current IPG CEO Heather Oland has turned down the city's offer of employment for the role. According to Soltis, Oland was the only member of the current IPG staff to be extended such an offer.

The four-page job description, which closes Aug. 16, outlines a position that reports to the general manager of planning and development and has three positions reporting to them - an economic development officer, a business development officer and an economic development co-ordinator.

The position is geared to someone who is "financially savvy, politically astute individual with expertise in attracting investment and business opportunities" and should ideally have seven years experience in economic development and three years in a management role.

Transition work begins Tuesday, Soltis said, with a meeting between senior city staff and Oland on the agenda.

"So we plan to have very close communication, with Heather in particular, during the next set of months," Soltis said.