Agenda - Council - 09/24/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Musgrove stated that her question related to the survey of recreational programs available in neighboring communities or other local entities. She asked how often that information is updated in order to capture the available recreation programs. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood replied that he has not updated that information since 2013. He stated that data was the result of the entire season of one intern and therefore he does not plan to update that information. Mayor LeTourneau stated that data provides a general sense of the programming available in the community and how the City makes decisions when offering different programs. Councilmember Kuzma stated that he is in support of recreational programing as there are many young families in the community that take advantage, noting that the senior population also enjoys the offerings. Mayor LeTourneau stated that he is fond of the idea that the Council has been able to have a conversation and look at the work plan, noting that the new employee will put together a more comprehensive review in order to make future decisions on programing. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that the person in this position would be a public employee and would not qualify to be a seasonal employee. Councilmember Heinrich asked if the position could be qualified as an intern position. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that the number of days would be the trigger for the union contracts. She explained that if an employee works less than 14 hours per week they would not be qualified as a public employee but did not believe that would be a sufficient amount of time for the work required by this position. Councilmember Heinrich asked if this position is based on the current offerings for recreation and not the assumption that perhaps the recreation programs would be reduced in the future. Administrative Services Director Lasher noted that her office is near the employee, and the employee was functioning at high speed and busy for their 20 hours per week. Mayor LeTourneau noted that while that may be an outcome of future discussion, the reverse must also be considered where the City could offer more recreational programs. Councilmember Heinrich stated that her comments are related to the input she has received from residents that would like the recreational budget reduced with a higher focus on road and public safety. Mayor LeTourneau noted that he has also received comments in support of the programing and a request for additional programs. City Council Work Session / September 10, 2019 Page 4 of 9