Agenda - Council - 08/28/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Kuzma asked if the Council approved an administrative assistant last year for 20 hours per week. City Engineer Westby confirmed that the Council did allow the half-time position and he is requesting to increase the hours for that position beginning in July 2019. City Administrator Ulrich stated that a portion of the duties would be to assist with sewer, water, and other utilities and therefore part of the position could be funded through the enterprise fund rather than the general fund. Councilmember Kuzma asked if any of the Highway 10 funds could be used to pay for some of the engineering expenses. City Engineer Westby stated that he is unsure of whether the City has planned to use the funding for Highway 10 for staffing. Acting Mayor LeTourneau noted that would be a short-term solution for a long-term problem. Councilmember Shryock stated that dynamic should be watched if that option is chosen as sometimes staff time is counted towards the City match for grant funds. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that recreational programming responds to one of the City's strategic initiative. He stated that when recreational programming began in 2017, it was cost effective and efficient for one full-time position to handle the programming needs. He explained that in 2018 that position is being filled by three interns, which require training to get up to speed and has not been an efficient method as it has caused him to spend additional time on the programming and takes away from his other duties. He stated that recreational programming is a highly visible service available to all residents and all demographics and is uniquely unifying and positive in terms of building a favorable sense of community. He stated that the recreational specialist proposal as proposed would not increase the 2019 levy. He stated that if the position is not added, it would then be responsible to significantly pull back on the recreational programming offered as he could not continue to run the programming in this method with interns. Councilmember Shryock stated that there are a number of organizations which the department has partnered with and asked if perhaps those organizations could be tasked to develop programming. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that could be an option, but the City would lose an opportunity for branding. He noted that budgets would need to be set for certain events as the City currently provides staff for certain programming events. He used the example of the Art Fest the City currently holds, noting that this year the cost was $56 plus staff time and noted that without the staff time the City contributes, that cost would be more. Councilmember Riley stated that he is impressed that, as proposed, this position would not have a cost to the City. City Council Work Session / August 6, 2018 Page 6 of 9