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