06-20-06 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING JUKE 20 2006 Page 3 of 5 • Ms. Wolfe replied it can, especially when it involves union contracts. Her previous experience was in larger cities where it had been an issue Michelle Olson stated that from her experience over the past seven years, when the O&M employees were in separate departments, it was difficult especially if employees were gone since there wasn't any cross training. When they become one department with the union, she felt that she could know something would get done even though the two park employees were gone on a given day. Since employees were trained in everything,things were a bit more efficient. Committee Member Williams asked when talking about parks and the various options, if it was really parks and trails that were being referred to? Ms. Wolfe state it was. Committee Member Williams then asked if we should label it parks and trails because trails are a pretty important component of what we are doing. Ms.Wolfe replied it was certainly an option,and she was just going with the most common term. Committee Member Wheeler stated she understood the pool concept and she thought it is a good idea,but she would like to see parks separate from public works. Possibly something that would have a city administrator, a parks director, a public works director but in between also have an O&M director/manager. These positions would work as a team. Committee Member Crassweller questions what the problem is with what we have right now that needs to be reorganized and what the potential solutions are? If one of the solutions is to have three directors and a labor pool underneath it, then let's talk about that. If another was to add one person who was to pick up three jobs and a labor pool underneath, then let's talk about that. But the question was what do we need for a city this size? And how will we solve the problem? • Ms. Wolfe replied she was looking for feedback and input. She referred back to a question regarding what the problem was and thought it was the right question to ask. One of the problems she has heard about indirectly was in regards to the competing demand of park and recreation versus public works. Maybe there were some concerns from this group about having both under a single director. It would be good for her to hear because it would help define what problem(s)with the current structure. Committee Member Williams stated he didn't know that we were not well served by the current structure. He had not heard of any complaints during his service on the committee. Committee Member Wheeler stated her concern was the workload. It seemed like that position had so much on its plate,but the structure was definitely responsive. 5. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Larson provided the Committee with the following City Council Update: • At the June 19"' Council Meeting, the council voted in favor of staff recommendations for warming houses. Moving the Cummings and Valentine Park building to Freeway and Hazelnut Parks and bringing a portable unit into Valentine Park. • One of the goals of this year is to come together on a policy for the transportation alternatives. • Continued discussion with GSA on TCAAP. The city, developer and GSA are trying to reach an agreement on price. We have a limited amount of time to reach an agreement with GSA, August 1st • We received a new offer from the developer for a business park on the south side of Highway 96 and the old city hall site. 0 We have been working on a new city website.