5. Staff Report-Job Description PT Parks Maint
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: October 1, 2014
To: City Council
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: PT Parks and Grounds Maintenance Worker
Background:
The City previously had a year round part-time maintenance worker until his retirement in October
2008. The Maintenance Superintendent was out on medical leave at the time. Also, due to budget
constraints, the position was converted to part time seasonal after Poidinger’s retirement.
The 2015 draft budget includes funding to bring back the part time year round position.
Issue:
Should the City Council move forward with a revised job description for a part time, regular parks
and ground maintenance worker?
Proposal Details:
Staff is proposing some modifications to the previous job description, mainly the addition of the ice
rink maintenance duties. A redlined copy of the current seasonal job description is included in your
packet. Because the ice rink maintenance duties typically start in early December, staff is seeking
approval to change the job description and advertise for the new part time position to start December
2014.
While this proposal would in an additional $2,000 expense, staff believes the benefits of a permanent
employee outweigh that cost. For example, we have had difficulty in recruiting for the part time
positions. This resulted in the City having to advertise for a second time this spring to fill the
summer parks maintenance position. We receive very few applications for the ice rink maintenance
worker position. Additionally, if the position is filled on a permanent basis staff will not have to
devote time to recruiting, interviewing and training seasonal employees each year. Lastly, having a
permanent employee will also allow them time to become more familiar the city and job
requirements and improve their skills, resulting in a better product for the City.
Over the last couple years we’ve seen our park system and responsibilities (including Vinterfest)
grow. A permanent employee is needed to help meet those need.
Fiscal Impact:
2014:
If the pt parks maintenance worker began in December, staff does not anticipate any problems
staying within budget. In previous years the ice rink maintenance worker has spent over 65 hours in
December preparing the rink for the season. In addition, the new person would spend some time in
public works assisting with plowing. Lastly, there are funds in the budget due to the fact that the
summer parks maintenance position was filled later than previous years due to problems with
recruitment.
2015:
The separate seasonal positions for the summer parks maintenance and ice rink maintenance worker
would have a personnel services budget impact of about $10,950 for wages and taxes. Over the last
four years the City has average just under $2,000 a year in unemployment expenses for these
seasonal positions. In addition, each time a position is posted and filled the City incurs about $200 in
advertising and drug test costs.
The part time year round position in the 2015 budget would result in about $15,930 in the personal
services budget for parks and rec. However, there would be a reduction in the advertising, drug test,
and unemployment costs if the position was filled on a permanent basis.
Options:
1) Direct Staff to Place the Job Description Update on the next Council agenda
2) Amend the Job Description and then Direct staff to place it on the next Council agenda
3) Do not update the job description
Second Request:
Assuming job description is updated
1) Direct Staff to Advertise and Interview for PT Parks and Grounds Maintenance Worker at
next Council meeting
2) Direct Staff to Advertise and Interview for Ice Rink Maintenance Worker at next Counci l
meeting
Recommendation:
Option 1
Option 1