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Councilmember Specht asked the estimated completion of the Public Works Facility. <br /> <br />Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated that it is scheduled to be completed in October 2021. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that she still would like to discuss the personnel positions. She <br />commented that things are tough in the economy and she is not sure she could support all the <br />positions. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau commented that the property values in the City are increasing and the City is <br />healthy. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained that park staffing levels <br />are the same as they were in 2006, even though the City has grown substantially since that time <br />and maintenance demands have increased. He stated that the maintenance worker staffing is <br />tracking below the trajectory of the needs. He stated that if they had additional maintenance staff <br />that would get them above the level of 2006. He explained that they have not been able to find <br />seasonal workers; therefore, they are using higher level staff to operate the mowers. He <br />explained that they need a baseline of maintenance workers to allow the higher-level staff to <br />concentrate on their duties. He stated that this position would help the City to maintain its <br />existing level of service. <br /> <br />Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated that parks and maintenance rely heavily on seasonal <br />workers. He noted that they placed an ad for seasonal workers for the fall and have not had one <br />person apply. He stated that the maintenance worker does more than mowing and helps with <br />snow plowing. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that perhaps some lesser priority items be identified, such as <br />mowing. She stated that perhaps City staff can look at creative ways to advertise for the seasonal <br />help positions. <br /> <br />Administrative Services Director Lasher explained how positions are listed for the City, noting <br />that the City attempts to cast a wide net. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley asked for some of things that are not getting done on time or at all due to <br />staffing shortages. <br /> <br />Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated that weed whipping has fallen behind. He stated <br />that there are hundreds or thousands of children using the fields and parks and people expect <br />those to be mowed and the trash to be emptied. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that there are countless <br />things that need attention in each park and noted that many of the City parks need landscaping <br />work, which has fallen behind. He stated that they are just responding to the bigger items that <br />occur and the basic items have fallen behind. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / August 25, 2020 <br />Page 2 of 7 <br /> <br />