Robbinsdale Offers City Manager Job to Vadnais Heights Employee

The negotiating team for the city of Robbinsdale has agreed on contract terms with a city manager candidate. A full city council vote on that contract is expected Tuesday.

The city offered the job to Tim Sandvik, currently the assistant city administrator with Vadnais Heights. The city, with the help of local search firm Waldron Co., went through 30 applicants for the job before zeroing in on Sandvik.

At a recent council meeting, Robbinsdale Mayor Bill Blonigan likened his skill set to that of a “Swiss army knife.”

“I think he’s a good candidate,” said Blonigan, who was part of the negotiating team with Robbinsdale City Council member George Selman, a city attorney and Craig Waldron with Waldron Co.

Before Vadnais Heights, Sandvik worked for three other cities, including Brooklyn Park, New Brighton and Falcon Heights. He would replace longtime City Manager Marcia Glick, who is retiring.

Robbinsdale City Council member Pat Backen said he was unsure of the quality of candidates because “there are so many city manager openings or there have been this year.” That inital concern turned out not to be the case.

“We really did get a strong slate of candidates,” said Backen.

According to terms of the agreement, Sandvik’s base salary would be $140,000. Should a severance situation occur, the city would pay six months of salary and benefits. This provision would expire in 10 years.

If approved by the full council, Sandvik would officially start his duties May 27.

Robbinsdale