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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 28, 2013 <br /> Page 13 <br /> Mr. Brokke noted that the Parks & Recreation Department had a volunteer coor- <br /> dinator in the past, and had found it successful for a short time, as performed <br /> when the Nature Center was opened in 1990, with that facility still primarily op- <br /> erating under volunteers, even with the volunteer coordinator position turning <br /> over regularly. <br /> Mayor Roe noted that this may be a strong recommendation for a staff position to <br /> provide more consistency, whether volunteers were sought for a specific project <br /> or specific interest or for general interests as they evolved. <br /> Mr. Brokke noted that volunteers wanted some guidance from staff, and to be able <br /> to follow City procedures or policies as applicable. <br /> Mayor Roe noted that this further supported a Volunteer Coordinator on staff. <br /> Councilmember Willmus expressed support for a Volunteer Coordinator to pro- <br /> vide logistical support of various programs and services; and with substantial and <br /> well-documented data, a return on the investment for a position could be tracked. <br /> Councilmember Willmus opined that he wanted to work through the details and <br /> make this position happen in 2014; however, he reiterated his struggle with budg- <br /> et items, and how they tied together. While supporting this direction as the best <br /> way to pursue goals, Councilmember Willmus expressed his hope that it could be <br /> attained by working together. <br /> Councilmember McGehee echoed the collective comments; opining that she saw <br /> this as an important function and part of the branding and civic engagement ef- <br /> forts for the City, and also the potential to provide a lot of rewards to the City, not <br /> all in financial terms, but in general community pride and good will that it could <br /> engender. From her personal volunteer experience, Councilmember McGehee <br /> noted the need to staff this "sales" position with the right person, with the right <br /> skill set and personality, to address opportunities throughout the community and <br /> to become an integral part of staff, serving as a service person for all departments <br /> within the City, with each project incorporated into the larger picture. Concurring <br /> with Councilmember Laliberte, Councilmember McGehee opined that the com- <br /> munication functions now in individual departments should free up time of cur- <br /> rent staff to provide some additional allotment to this position. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte suggested a pilot program for the first six months, while <br /> the Communications staff was reorganized, whether finding someone internally <br /> for a half-time position or from the reorganized communication staff, to enhance <br /> volunteer tracking and data. Councilmember Laliberte opined that this could pro- <br /> vide information on how best to proceed and how a position could work in Rose- <br /> ville. Councilmember Laliberte opined that the position was a great idea, but how <br /> to do it and fund it needed further determination, initially how to best handle and <br /> organize the City's current volunteer force. Councilmember Laliberte suggested <br />