01-23-2014 Agenda and Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item No. 7B M E M O R A N D U M To: Parks & Recreation & Forestry Commissioners From: Nick DeBar – Director of Public Works & Don Peterson – Public Works Supervisor Date: January 23, 2014 RE: Public Works Staff Report The following is a synopsis of recent activities and events of the Public Works Department. Personnel Park Supervisor Steve Dazenski retired in early December after 26-1/2 years working for the City of Mounds View. Public Works discussed a proposal to restructure/tweak the department’s staffing structure with the City Council at their December 2013 work session as follows: 1. Eliminate Parks Supervisor position in Maintenance Division and replace with non-supervisory position focused on project management in the Engineering Division. 2. Add a full-time Parks Maintenance Worker position in the Maintenance Division. The City Council was supportive of the proposal and authorized advertising for a maintenance worker on December 9, 2013. The City received 107 applicants and is currently rating the applicants to obtain a short list to interview. A final candidate is expected to be presented to the City Council at one of their regular meetings in February. The project management position will be reviewed at the February work session. Don Peterson, Public Works Supervisor, will assume the supervisory duties of the eliminated Parks Supervisor position. Don will lead the Maintenance Division of Public Works and will be a regular attendee at the Commission meetings. Maintenance This winter has been one of the best in last 5 or so years for establishing and maintaining ice rinks both pleasure and hockey. The cooler temperatures in the early fall and cold temperatures continuing into the winter has allowed Public Works staff to establish the ice early and maintain a nice sheet of ice throughout the winter months. This winter parks staff has also been re-organizing the parks storage area within the Public Works building and pre season maintenance of equipment such as weed whips, chain saws, ands hedge trimmers. The turf mowers will also have maintenance performed so they are ready for the mowing season. Other items staff is working on include: • Inventory supplies and order for the coming season, fertilizer, field chalk, etc; • Review proposed projects for 2014, prioritize and schedule and secure needed materials; • Interview candidates for new Public Works Park Maintenance position Projects Public Works is gearing up for another very busy project season – below are the 2014 anticipated projects: Silver View Park: • Relocate Disc Golf Course: A new 9-hole course is proposed to be constructed in the NW corner of the park. Involves clearing trees, installing new tees and targets, and removing existing course items and restoration. 2014 Budget: $25,000 (Park Dedication Fund) – includes $2,000 BBC contribution for improving disc golf tees (Mar. 2011). • Reconstruct Trailways: Involves reconstruction of the asphalt trails with an engineering pavement section and grading/drainage corrections. Will require professional engineering services and obtaining permanent trailway easements from Scottland Green apartments. 2014 Budget: $200,000 (Spec. Projects Fund).