CCWS 12-07-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSlON - DECEMBER 7.1998 4 . Staff was directed to proceed in conversations with the City of Shoreview on a shared Building Inspector position for one-year, provided the department revenues supported such a position, with no general fund levy ramifications. c. Community Development Director Position Mr. Fritsinger provided a report to the City Council on the Parks and Recreation Commission's review and recommendations regarding the Community Development Director position. Mr. Fritsinger briefly reviewed and summarized the Commission's comments and discussion topics. Mayor Probst, Councilmember Keim, and Tracy Petersen, Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor, had also been in attendance and provided input. The three options discussed by the Commission, at its December I, 1998 meeting were: . Hiring of a full-time Parks & Recreation Director staff position. . Hiring of a full-time Parks Development/Planner staff position. . Creation of a joint parks department with a neighboring community. . The Commission recommended that the City hire a full-time Parks and Recreation Director. The advantages and disadvantages as identified by the Commission and staff were included in the staff report and reviewed by the City Council. Mayor Probst stated he was impressed with the fairness of the Commission in considering the three options. It was the consensus of those attending that the Commission's main concern was the public relations and identity of the City's existing park and trail system. Discussion items included the current restructuring and the City's overall staffing needs; future TCAAP potential; current staff absorbing the duties of the Community Development Director; loss of time needed to train a new Parks Director; combining of parks and public works maintenance under one supervisor; relationship to budget discussion and salary allocations; citizen expectations as they relate to City and existing staff needs; lack of interest in a shared position with the City of Shoreview as a short-term solution; and the "part-time" nature of the Parks Director position. StatI was directed to better define the Parks and Community Development Director positions; consider other staff responsibilities and other City needs, and proceed with the advertisement for a Parks and Recreation Director position. .