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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 28, 2013 <br /> Page 15 <br /> Trudgeon used the City of Plymouth as an example where their Public Works De- <br /> partment utilized someone skilled in AUTO-CAD applications to help them keep <br /> their files updated on a more technical basis. While volunteer use would vary be- <br /> tween and among departments, Mr. Trudgeon noted that most all could use addi- <br /> tional help in managing their documents and filings. If dollars were taken out of <br /> department budgets to fund a Volunteer Coordinator position, Mr. Trudgeon not- <br /> ed that this would certainly get the message across and maximize thought pro- <br /> cesses and resources. Mr. Trudgeon recognized that the City's Parks & Recrea- <br /> tion Department was light years beyond other departments in using volunteers; <br /> however, he also recognized that evolution of this volunteer workforce was an <br /> educational process, and in order to be successful, needed to be utilized by all de- <br /> partments, thus his recommendation that it be an administration function. <br /> Mayor Roe asked that Mr. Trudgeon take tonight's feedback and bring it back for <br /> additional discussion in November if possible; with ideas of what aspects and op- <br /> tions were or were not feasible, and staff's response to tonight's feedback, as well <br /> as budget impacts and staff ideas for use of volunteers. <br /> Mr. Trudgeon concurred with that directive; opining that he was hearing a strong <br /> desire by the City Council to use volunteers across departments, with staff di- <br /> rected to make recommendations on how best to move forward and leverage that <br /> position; and to report back on how best to get that action in place to move for- <br /> ward. <br /> Councilmember McGehee questioned the validity of a Pilot Program, someone <br /> currently on staff for a six-month trial, or Intern versus simply taking action to es- <br /> tablish the position and get it implemented. Councilmember McGehee opined <br /> that if it was going to be done, it should be done, with evaluation of the position <br /> and whether or not it proves worthwhile being determined at that time; not just as <br /> a potential without continuity and initial drive required for recruitment, training <br /> and retention. <br /> Mayor Roe suggested that, if a Pilot Program or Intern option was taken, then at <br /> the end of six months, the City Council needed to be committed to put a position <br /> into effect based on those determinations and data, along with their budget com- <br /> mitment. <br /> Mr. Trudgeon clarified staff's direction, with Councilmember consensus, that a <br /> Pilot Program was not to decide if the City should pursue a Volunteer Coordina- <br /> tor/Management position, but that the City Council was committed to the posi- <br /> tion, but needed additional information on how best to proceed and successful <br /> models that would work. Reiterating his directive, Mr. Trudgeon, with Council <br /> consensus, noted that the City Council wanted to proceed, but was not sure how <br /> best to approach it. <br />