06.f Winter Seasonal Staff Position Postings
Public Works – Consent Item
Date of Meeting: 9/20/2022
To: Mayor, City Council
From: Charles Fischer – Director of Public Works
Re: Hiring part-time seasonal staff positions
Background:
Historically the City has hired two Seasonal On-call Snow Plow Operators, one Ice Rink Maintenance
position, one Lead Rink Attendant, and six Rink Attendants. These positions are managed and report to
the Public Works Director.
Seasonal On-call Plow Operators are responsible for clearing snow from roadways, parking lots and
other duties as assigned. Bruce Swenson and Jim Gribble, have previously assisted as On-call snow plow
operators and have been contacted to determine if they want to return and fill the two positions again
for the 2022-2023 winter season. Bruce Swenson and Jim Gribble are both interested in returning for
this coming season.
The City also hires a seasonal Ice Rink Maintenance Worker, who is responsible for flooding the rink and
maintaining the ice during the season on a flexible schedule. Last year Public Works employees filled the
responsibilities as the seasonal position was vacant. This year Public Works is focused on evening and
weekend shifts with this seasonal position, while Public Works full-time staff will perform morning rink
resurfacing. Staffing for this position will be by December 1st and training to begin once ice is established
or this employee may assist with establishment based on knowledge and skill of the requirements for
flooding.
The Lead Rink Attendant and Rink Attendants will be on site during Warming House normal hours and
monitor rink use and issues that may arise requiring extra maintenance attention. The Lead Rink
Attendant will schedule and coordinate communication between Rink Attendant staff and Public Works
staff. Office Assistant Bee Stignani will coordinate training dates and communications with all ice rink
attendants. Stignani has communicated with past Rink Attendants and Tal Swenson, Sarah Firkus and
Cameron Zuniga are interested in returning for this coming season.
Issue:
(1) Should Bruce Swenson and Jim Gribble return as an On-call Snow Plow Operators for the Public
Works Department at the pay rate of $19.10 per hour for Bruce Swenson and $18.25 per hour
for Jim Gribble.
(2) Should the City advertise for a Rink Maintenance position for the 2022-23 rink season with a
minimum pay rate of $15.00 per hour
(3) Should Tal Swenson return as Lead Rink Attendant position for the 2022-2023 rink season at the
pay rate of $15.50 per hour.
(4) Should Sarah Firkus and Cameron Zuniga return as Ice Rink Attendants for the 2022-23 rink
season at the pay rate of $13.75 per hour.
(5) Should the City advertise for Rink Attendants for the 2022-23 rink season with minimum pay of
$13.50 per hour and select the number of staff appropriate to cover the daily scheduling.
Proposal Details:
(1) Staff is recommending Bruce Swenson ($19.10 per hour) and Jim Gribble ($18.25 per hour) be
rehired for the 2022-2023 winter season. Bruce Swenson has plowed 4+ years and Jim Gribble
for 1 year with the Public Works Department.
(2) Staff is recommending posting for Rink Maintenance position at a pay rate of $15.00 per hour.
(3) Staff is recommending Tal Swenson be rehired as the Lead Rink Attendant at a pay rate of
$15.50 per hour. Tal Swenson has been the Lead Rink Attendant for two seasons, and per the
practice of increasing returning seasonal employees $.25/hour, this is the wage to offer.
(4) Staff is recommending Sarah Firkus be rehired as a Rink Attendant at a pay rate of $13.75/hour.
Sarah Firkus returned as a Rink Attendant last year, and per the practice of increasing returning
seasonal employees $.25/hour, this is the wage to offer.
(5) Staff is recommending posting Rink Attendant positions with a minimum pay of $13.50 per hour.
The Council is also requested to delegate the interview process to staff. Interviews will be conducted by
the Director of Public Works, Bee Stignani or other City Staff as assigned with recommendations for
hiring returned to the City Council at a future meeting.
Fiscal Impact:
The 2022 and 2023 pay rates for Winter Seasonal Employees has been built into the Public Works and
Parks general fund budgets to support the winter plowing operation, rink maintenance, and warming
house staffing.
Options:
(1) Approve proposal details (1)-(5) and City staff to interview and select candidates for open
positions recommended to Council at a future meeting.
(2) Approve a City Council recommended selection of proposal details (1)-(5) and City staff to
interview and select candidates for open positions recommended to Council at a future
meeting.
(3) Table for further discussion
(4) Do not advertise any Winter Seasonal Positions
Recommendation:
Option 1