Getschow gets the nod from Eden Prairie

The Eden Prairie City Council has decided to hire Hopkins City Manager Rick Getschow as its new city manager.

Citing his creativity, energy and enthusiasm, the council last week unanimously agreed to enter the final phase of contract negotiations with Getschow to work out a salary and benefits package.

"I believe he will take the city into the future with enthusiasm," said Council Member Sherry Butcher Wickstrom.

Getschow, 41, is expected to accept the Eden Prairie job and leave the Hopkins city manager post after six years. That will trigger a city manager search for Hopkins.

He was selected over Ryan Schroeder, city administrator of Cottage Grove. A third finalist, Steven Mielke, city administrator of Lakeville, dropped out of the running last week, a day before final council interviews.

Getschow said Eden Prairie, with its reputation for quality city services, is one of only a few cities that could entice him to leave Hopkins, where he has worked on redevelopment and promoting the city's small-town feel.

He has worked in three communities in 15 years, each time moving to a slightly larger city.

"Eden Prairie is a logical next step," he said.

In an interview with council members, Getschow described himself as a positive person who sees "the glass half full." He said he is a runner and a believer in work-life balance.

"I do work hard and I put in a lot of time. But I don't want to see people at City Hall at 8 o'clock every night," he said. "That is not good for our health or for what we want to accomplish."

Getschow suggested that future planning for the city could start by building on what the city does well. "I am a strong believer in focusing on your strengths and building on your strengths."

Getschow will succeed former City Manager Scott Neal, who left Eden Prairie in November to become city manager of Edina.

Getschow previously worked for the cities of Hector and Lauderdale before coming to Hopkins in January 2005.

He has a B.A. in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a M.A. in public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711