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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 28, 2013 <br /> Page 14 <br /> that a show of good faith from departments would be, if all departments supported <br /> the position and truly believed in it, they should provide money to fund it through <br /> cuts in their current budgets and tax levy to support it. <br /> Regarding funding, Councilmember Etten questioned if the position could be <br /> funded in total or in part through the Communications Fund, if its goal was to <br /> support community engagement and multiple formats for involving the communi- <br /> ty. Councilmember Etten expressed some concern with Councilmember Laliber- <br /> te's comment to perform the work in-house with a current position. While agree- <br /> ing that more evaluation was needed to determine how the position would best <br /> work, Councilmember Etten noted the need to respect and recognize staff's cur- <br /> rent work load, and start down the path for a new position and staff person. <br /> Councilmember Etten noted that there may be someone currently on staff who <br /> was interested in the position, but questioned if it should be considered part of <br /> their current or realigned workload. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte suggested an Intern with the specific purpose of putting <br /> together a structure or plan how to implement this position; but reiterated her con- <br /> cern that the position not be fully funded until additional data was available. <br /> At the suggestion of Mayor Roe, Mr. Trudgeon agreed that additional internal <br /> discussions among staff were indicated; based on his observations of tonight's <br /> discussion. Mr. Trudgeon admitted that he found the prospect intriguing for initi- <br /> ating the position through a pilot program, to provide a measurement of needs and <br /> more detailed understanding of an overall volunteer coordination effort. Mr. <br /> Trudgeon expressed his concern in taking a current staff person, unless a current <br /> part-time position was increased with additional hours, opining that he would <br /> need to have further discussion with staff regarding such an option. In addressing <br /> the potential for using funds from the Communications Fund, Mr. Trudgeon noted <br /> that this was as close as he came to funding through use of an Enterprise Fund, <br /> advising that use of those funds would be limited to specific areas and provide a <br /> finite source with limited opportunities. <br /> Mr. Trudgeon noted that the Intern position was also intriguing to him, and of- <br /> fered to perform additional study to determine a framework for such an option; <br /> perhaps using the Parks & Recreation Department as a pilot program to determine <br /> additional information. <br /> Mr. Trudgeon advised that he would report back to the City with his recommend- <br /> ed next steps to ease into the position; and a determination of actual needs and po- <br /> tential funding sources. Mr. Trudgeon admitted that not all departments were ini- <br /> tially convinced of how much they could or would use volunteers, but noted <br /> staff's willingness to keep an open mind. Mr. Trudgeon noted those depai tments <br /> who had obvious needs (e.g. Parks & Recreation) while others that would be lim- <br /> ited (e.g. Finance Department due to data privacy issues and concerns). Mr. <br />