08-12-2015 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 12, 2015 set. He also indicated that he would like someone with a good attitude and great aptitude pointing out the ability to teach the person the job. Keis expressed concern on the time commitment this would be for the Administrator. The Administrator felt it would be a good investment for the City. There was then discussion about the City's past efforts in capitalizing on employees' strengths relative to growth opportunities. Keis indicated that discussion of the City Clerk position would be revisited later in the meeting. The Administrator next recommended that the City elevate the Public Works Superintendent to Public Works Director. He pointed out that with the new Public Works facility, Public Works and Parks are now under one roof. Given this change, the Administrator recommended that Parks Maintenance be placed under the Public Works Superintendent's supervision. Keis noted that there is currently a Parks Supervisor and a Public Works Supervisor and asked if the intention was to retain those two positions. The City Administrator stated that it was and indicated that these supervisors would handle day-to-day supervision in the field. The Public Works Superintendent agreed. He noted that he is at the Public Works building each morning to review what is going on and the schedule for the day. However, the Supervisors handle supervisory duties during the course of the day. Fischer asked what negative impacts there could be from bringing parks maintenance under the Public Works Department. The Superintendent stated that that was difficult to ascertain until the new format is in place. He pointed out, however, that the Park Supervisor's knowledge and experience will be an important resource. Fischer noted the extra work for the Superintendent and indicated there may be the need for more delegation by the Superintendent. The Parks & Recreation Director noted that when parks maintenance had been under a previous Public Works Director, that situation did not work well as the appropriate focus had not been on parks maintenance. The Director felt that the situation should work with the current Public Works Superintendent, however. The Administrator also pointed out that there would be communication between the Public Works Superintendent, the Parks & Recreation Director and Parks Supervisor which will ensure that parks maintenance is addressed appropriately. The Public Works Superintendent stated that everyone is open to getting the job done and indicated that there would be help from both current Public Works and Parks employees to ensure that both public works and parks functions are addressed. The Superintendent noted that while some cities have separate public works and parks maintenance departments, 3