Agenda - Council - 06/28/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Riverblood. He thought it could lighten the work load for City Engineer Westby if they didn't report to him. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood replied the Parks Maintenance workers would continue to report to the division supervisors; the proposal is to eliminate the Superintendent position and it retitles City Engineer Westby and himself for clarity but the structure remains the same. He stated if the Director is absent then he would support the Director relative to be responsible for the engineering staff, aside from that the structure remains the same. He stated the details on daily operations are being worked on and thought it would work well. He stated if it is found not to work well, Council can review it at any time. City Engineer Westby asked if the proposed changes and promotions are being tabled. Mayor Kuzma replied he didn't think so but expressed concern that City Engineer Westby was being set up for failure which he didn't want to happen. He stated he was supportive of a trial. Councilmember Woestehoff commented he agreed with Councilmember Musgrove that there is a good opportunity for Public Works and Engineering to work closely together and operate as one. He gave the example of when a road is being designed they are talking to the same people who are maintaining the roads which isn't a bad thing for the City. He agreed with Councilmember Heineman's suggestion that supervisors go to the Parks Supervisor instead of going to the Public Works/Engineering Director to lighten the load for City Engineer Westby. He suggested in the next six months they may learn that an Engineering Manager is needed to help with management. He stated this case is a great example of how things can be changed and adjusted when it needs to. Administrative Services Director Lasher explained the way that duties are divided that it may be better to have one boss so putting Parks Maintenance under Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood makes sense because it pulls from the maintenance employee pool. She stated all it would be taking from City Engineer Westby is the Parks Supervisor but it could create some other challenges. She asked to be corrected if she had misspoke. Councilmember Heineman asked if it was correct that they should view the position as more of a maintenance position. Administrative Services Director Lasher confirmed this and added if the Director isn't present then Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood as the Assistant would cover that role. Councilmember Howell echoed some of the concerns of the Mayor in putting so much on City Engineer Westby. She gave the example of a city in Wisconsin that tried it and it didn't work resulting in them having to go back. She asked if it ends up being too much that it be addressed quickly. Administrative Services Director Lasher asked for clarity on the Council direction. She asked if there was consensus that all of the engineering positions that are on the consent agenda stay and be passed. City Council Work Session/June 14, 2022 Page 12 of 16