06.l Authorize Hiring Process for Summer Seasonal Workers
Consent Item
Date of Meeting: 3/21/2023
For: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Charles Fischer – Director of Public Works
Subject: Summer Seasonal Staff Consent to Advertise and Hire
Background: The City has historically advertised for Seasonal Grounds Care Worker for mowing and
trimming, maintaining landscape beds, removing refuse from City properties, watering flower
arrangements and various other duties as assigned throughout the City. Based on the labor
agreement with the Union, part-time employees can be employed for up to 67 days without
becoming a member of the Union. This would provide for 13 weeks of employment for whomever
may be hired for these positions.
Prior to 2021, only one seasonal worker was hired to perform most or all of the se tasks. Response
to additional needs or maintenance due to continual City enhancements reduced the quality of
ongoing normal maintenance practices having only one worker to support the work load. In 2021,
two seasonal staff were approved and hired which promoted better maintenance practices and
safety. Public Works was able to provide safer working conditions, efficient maintenance practices,
and the ability to respond to additional work demand when required.
In 2022, Public Works was only approved to hire one Seasonal Grounds Care Worker and the work
load was more than one employee to manage. With the abundant landscape beds and acres of turf
to maintain a decline in the maintenance practices was observed last year.
Proposal: Public Works, as similar to 2021, is requesting to advertise for two 67-day positions for
Seasonal Grounds Care. There is sufficient work load supporting the request for two workers;
mowing and trimming parks and drain fields, ballfield mowing and infield maintenance, trail
maintenance, watering flower arrangements, landscape and hardscape enhancements, playground
maintenance and other tasks as assigned which can be better performed and more efficient with
two seasonal staff. There is budget capacity to support two workers as the funding has been
allocated into the 2023 budget for temporary employees. In 2021, Public Works was approved to
hire two Seasonal Grounds Care workers which allowed for better maintenance practices and
safety. Certain jobs assigned to seasonal staff are much safer, better performed and more efficient
with two employees working together or when multiple tasks in different areas require immediate
attention. If only one seasonal is approved added work load, which seasonal staff would be
responsible for, will fall to the Full-Time staff reducing their ability to complete required road, right
of way, sewer, and building maintenance.
Public Works will post the positions, conduct employee interviews, and return to Council for
consent to hire two candidates.
Recommendation: Public Works recommends consent to post two positions, conduct candidate
interviews, and return to Council for the consent to hire two candidates to fill the Summer Seasonal
positions.