Minutes - Council Work Session - 08/23/2022

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Councilmember Specht stated that the Council went into great detail about each one at the last meeting. Acting Mayor Riley agreed and stated that with the Council being a small group that evening it made it hard; however, the only thing there was a question on was the Recreation Specialist. He asked Mayor Kuzma, Councilmember Musgrove, and Councilmember Heineman if they had any questions concerning the personnel requests since they were absent from the last meeting. Councilmember Musgrove stated that she reviewed the minutes from the last meeting and she wanted to add that she supports the Recreational Specialist. She stated that she had asked Interim Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood about the hours it went to and some of the funding sources; however, Finance Director Lund answered those questions earlier this evening. She noted that this person would also be helping with the Public Works administration assistant covering vacations, for example. She asked if there were any other areas if the hours were increased to 40 that this person could also be used to add value. She added that of all the Recreation Specialists that have held the position, the current one has added energy, commitment, creativity, is very willing to work, and has connected well with the community. She asked if Staff had other ways of potentially using the Recreation Specialist during those hours if her time is not completely taken up by recreational activities. Interim Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood added that she is a professional and is flexing her time when the Public Works secretary or administrative assistant is out. He hoped that Council will be able to add the additional 10 hours to keep this individual in the role at the full time status as he is afraid that Staff will lose this individual if not. He stated that in the past three years, three different people had held the role of Recreation Specialist before the current one was secured and that the last two left for full time opportunities. He said there is a significant cost in recruiting and training and hopes that the Council can find the additional hours as the benefits are important. He explained that the current Recreation Specialist has a Master’s Degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences and in the last eight months she has made connections with the community which has added a lot more recreation programs. He asked if Council would be willing to view a presentation that illustrates what this individual has done. Acting Mayor Riley said yes to seeing the presentation. Interim Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood reviewed the presentation on the recreation programming and growth. Acting Mayor Riley stated that it does not make sense to move this position to 30 hours, so the options are to keep it at 29 hours or move it to 40 hours. Councilmember Heineman thanked Interim Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood for the presentation and shared that it is clear that the Recreation Specialist has already proved herself. He added that talent acquisition can be hard so retaining someone like this individual makes sense. He mentioned employee morale and sees that this could be used as an opportunity for a special recognition for a job well done and thinks that a recognition could be worked into the expansion of hours. City Council Work Session / August 23, 2022 Page 12 of 16