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Editor’s Note: This has been updated from the print version, based on discussion June 18 by city council, as members met to “acknowledge” the resignation of Jason Ziemer.

The North Branch City Council had scheduled a work session for Tuesday night this week— but the status was changed to a “special’ meeting so there could be action taken on a resignation.  North Branch Interim City Administrator Jason Ziemer is stepping down.  His last day is planned for Friday, June 28.

Ziemer was North Branch Community Development Director, starting with the city in July 2022.  This entails coordinating development projects, working with the planning commission and organizing their meetings and overseeing municipal marketing and promotion.  

Ziemer was tapped by council about three months ago to fill in,  upon Renae Fry resigning her post as administrator. at the end of 2023.  

The council has been engaged in a candidate search for a full time city administrator. 

The special council session Tuesday also had an item on the agenda for a discussion with search firm GMP,  about possible next steps in retaining the services of someone to fill in for Ziemer, as it was anticipated the fulltime search for interview finalists would take weeks.   

Council voted to immediately draft a contract with the city engineering firm WSB for temporary development review services and other zoning administration tasks starting with a WSB person in North Branch two days per week.

Mayor Kevin Schieber said he has already been contacted by builders who were concerned not having sufficient city staff would derail complicated plans in process.

Council will act on the WSB contract at the regular June 25 council meeting.  This approach will hold any decisions on a new Community Development Director at bay,  until the new city administrator can be hired.

GMP is providing the services for recruiting and vetting administrator candidates.  This is in its early stage, with city staff being interviewed now seeking suggestions and qualities desired in an ideal administrator.

In the interim— council opted in special session Tuesday June 18 to have existing staff absorb administration duties. Council was hesitant to designate clerk Ragini Varma as “interim administrator’ when she already has numerous responsibilities making sure city services and upcoming elections are not disrupted.

Council member Robert Canada offered to review a list of temporary municipal administration professionals affiliated through the League of Minnesota Cities.  If there are feasible prospects he said he would personally contact those and report back. 

Council member Kelly Neider was absent Tuesday night.

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