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Parks and Recreation and Forestry Commission Items January 4, 2010 Work Session Page 2 C. Update on City Forester Vacancy The City of New Brighton passed a 2010 budget that includes funding for the City Forester position, which operates jointly with Mounds View. The two cities will be working on updating the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), which has been in place since 1981, before the position is filled. The adopted 2010 Mounds View budget includes $16,000, or approximately 8 months, for City Forester services. New Brighton anticipates the position to start on April 1, 2010. The City Forester position is employed by New Brighton, with Mounds View covering a pro- rated amount of the position costs based on City Forester time spent on Mounds View issues. The original JPA had Mounds View paying 40%, or 2 days a week, of the City Forester’s time. Around 1994, this proportion changed to 30%, or 1.5 days a week, which continues today. New Brighton has asked if Mounds View would be interested in increasing the City Forester time in Mounds View to 35% or 40%. Based on a combined population and land area of the two cities, Mounds View has around 35% of the combined population and land area. New Brighton has outlined the recruitment process as follows (2010): 1. Publications to be advertised in: • LMCIT – League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (wk of 1/11-1/15) • Forestry Publication – MSA (MN Society of Arboriculture) & UOM College of Natural Resources (1/11-1/15) • Star and Tribune (Sun. 1/17) • Bulletin (wk of 1/18-1/22) 2. Application deadline cut off is Thursday, January 28th at 4:30 pm 3. Rate the applications Feb 1-5 & Feb. 8-10 4. Call potential candidates for interviews Feb. 11 & 12 5. Interview potential candidates first round: Feb. 19 & 22 6. Interview potential candidates second round: March 5 &/or 8 7. Reference checks: March 8/9 8. Contingent offer made March 12 9. Start date Thursday, April 1 New Brighton is looking for commitment by Mounds View for continued support of the jointly operated City Forester position, including any change in the proportion of shared services (currently 30%). City Staff, and the City Attorney, will coordinate with New Brighton on updating the JPA for future Council consideration. Nick DeBar Public Works Director Attachments: • Policy Establishing Priority for Use of City Athletic Fields • Proposed Schedule for Lambert Park Building Replacement