HomeMy WebLinkAboutMerrill, Patrick - ResumePatrick L. Merrill
717 Ute Street
Fort Morgan, CO. 80701
Cell/Daytime: (970) 380-9879
Home/Evenings: (970) 867-4398
E-mail: patricklmerrill@hotmail.com
CAREER SUMMARY
Senior level manager with diverse experience in municipal government including; City Manager, budgeting & finance, organizational efficiency, community & economic development, downtown
redevelopment, planning & zoning, project management, project financing, Brownfield/site redevelopment, contract negotiation, , golf course development & management, utility management,
annexation, airport expansion, and environmental oversight with proven abilities concerning:
Proven record of accomplishment in infrastructure project management.
Active communicator with vision for a sustainable community.
Highly numerate with a strong background in financial analysis.
Consensus building in the development of goals & priorities.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
City Manager
City of Fort Morgan, Fort Morgan, CO (August 2008 –Present)
Administration and preparation of a sixty million dollar annual budget, which includes six enterprise funds. The City of Fort Morgan owns and operates the gas, electric, water, wastewater,
fiber optic and refuse utilities.
In the final stages of performing an Organizational Staffing Analysis which will realign staff & departments, as well as streamline programs and services in order to produce the best
products and services for the taxpaying public.
Responsible for the daily management of 150 fulltime employees, as well as an additional 50 part time & seasonal employees.
Completed an award winning 3.2 million dollar downtown infrastructure & enhancement project in 88 days.
Worked with Dairy Farmers’ of America on a 22 million dollar expansion project.
Hired the current municipal engineer, community development director, director of marketing & economic development and chief financial officer.
Completed a total redesign the City of Fort Morgan website.
Responsible for the management & financing of the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), which is a 40 million dollar water acquisition project.
Worked with the Mayor & City Council to approve a thirty-year at cost contract for electric power for the city owned and operated utility.
Initiated an annual Schedule of Fees and five-year (rolling) Capital Improvement Program as part of the budget process.
Successfully completed the wireless capability project at the Fort Morgan Library/Museum Project.
Currently advertising an RFP for use of the city’s ten-year-old dark fiber.
In the final stages of closing on an eighty-acre parcel for the expansion of the City’s general aviation airport. As part of the purchase, a 156-acre avigation easement was also secured.
A $350,000 taxilane extension is schedule for the Summer of 2010.
Responsible for the planning and management of a $345,000 enhancement project for Rainbow Bridge at the beginning of the Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway.
Hold weekly meetings with the local media in order to facilitate open communication & dialogue.
Community Development Director
City of Fort Morgan, Fort Morgan, CO (2007 – 2008)
Resurrected an airport expansion project that had been idle for seventeen years. The project is an FAA funded expansion with a capital investment of 8-13 million dollars that will extend
the length of the current runway.
Initiated the annexation of 180 acres into the City of Fort Morgan. Future plans include a business park that will target high tech and professional firms.
As the Planning & Zoning Director, a complete revision of the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan were initiated. Additionally, revisions were completed to the variance and site
plan review processes in order to streamline and clarify the procedures for all parties.
Worked with existing and potential businesses in order to maximize their potential, as well as enhance the city’s tax base and employment opportunities.
Infrastructure Project Management including implementation of the design/engineering process for a total reconstruct of the downtown infrastructure.
Worked with the Mayor & City Council and staff to acquire additional water in the semi-arid climate of Northeastern Colorado (ongoing).
Community Development Director
City of Ironwood, Ironwood, MI (2003 – 2007)
Interim City Manager for a period of six months while a candidate search was conducted by the Mayor & City Council. Acted as the assistant manager in the managers’ absence on a regular
basis.
Infrastructure project management including the acquisition of approximately one million dollars in grant funding for capital/infrastructure improvements.
Acquired approximately 2.5 million dollars in grant funding for various projects including affordable housing, downtown redevelopment, police car acquisition and firefighter safety.
As the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Administrator, loans were made for working capital and equipment purchases in the Ironwood Industrial Park, thereby creating,
enhancing and retaining local employment.
Assisted a local company with re-capitalization in order to facilitate their emergence from bankruptcy. This project resulted in the retention of 20 positions with an average salary
of $55,000.
Collaborated with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) in order to rehabilitate 38 rental units and 32 exiting homes for low/moderate income individuals.
Worked on behalf of the City Council & residents regarding labor contract negotiation and collective bargaining. Also represented the city during grievance procedures and binding arbitration.
Business attraction, retention and counseling.
Budget preparation/implementation.
Capital Improvement Program Coordinator.
Member: Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation, Ironwood Economic Development Corporation and Downtown Ironwood Development Authority.
Executive Director
Gogebic County Economic Development Commission, Ironwood, MI (2003 – 2007)
Business attraction and retention including the development and site selection for both the Wal-Mart and Walgreens stores in the Ironwood area.
Initiated the first Brownfield Redevelopment Authority in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. During my tenure as Director, we completed one project that included a tax increment
financing package (TIF).
Initiated the Gogebic County Comprehensive Plan process thereby forming partnerships and mutual goals in a historically divided county.
Additional duties included: Revolving Loan Fund Administrator, grant writing and administration, business counseling, budget preparation/fundraising and advertising & promotions including
website maintenance.
Environmental Monitor
Crawford County, Grayling, MI (1997-2003)
Oversight and inspection of a privately owned landfill within the geographic boundaries of the county. This included tracking impact fees paid to the county as part of a Stipulated Order
of Settlement.
Expanded recycling opportunities within the entire county, thereby reducing the volume of waste and associated costs of landfilling refuse.
Initiated the Household Hazardous Waste/Scrap Tire Program(s) that is still held annually at no costs to the county taxpayers.
As the Chairperson of Grayling Fish Hatchery Restoration Committee, a grant was secured in the amount of $450,000 for grounds renovation at the historically significant trout hatchery.
The rehabilitation project included ADA compliance,
restrooms, parking lot paving, construction of a model trout stream and children’s fishing pond.
Resurrected the Local Emergency Planning Committee and served as the chairperson for five years. During my tenure, there were Emergency Response Plans prepared for four facilities.
Initiated the Crawford County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. During my term as chairperson, one project was initiated, with a 1.1 million dollar tax credit being obtained by a local
developer for reuse of a contaminated site.
Board of Directors, Northeast Michigan Council of Governments.
Grant writing and administration.
Member: Industrial Development Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Grayling Township Planning Commission, Non-Motorized Trails Committee.
Department(s) of Natural Resources & Environmental Quality Liaison.
SPECIAL TRAINING
National Incident Management System (NIMS) – 100 & 700 level certified
Lorman Education Services, Real Estate Development from Beginning to End
Michigan Municipal Risk Management, Preventing Sexual Harassment
Michigan Municipal League, Intergovernmental Cooperation
MSU, Training for Trainers, Community & Economic Development
Hazardous Materials Contingency Planning, Michigan State Police
Sustainable Forestry Education, Michigan State University
Household Hazardous Waste and Clean Sweep Coordinator Training
Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commissioner Training
EDUCATION
Central Michigan University, Bachelor of Science
Kirtland Community College, Associate in Arts
AWARDS
City of Fort Morgan (CO) Downtown Project – American Public Works Association Colorado Chapter – Project of the Year for 2009
2001 Outstanding Rural Partnership Award, Grayling Fish Hatchery Project - USDA Rural Development
1999 Professional of the Year - Trout Unlimited
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP
Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) – Board of Directors
MEAN – Power Supply & Finance Committee member
Colorado Chapter, City Managers Association
Lions Club International