2013_1202_packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting M o nday, October 28, 2013 Page 12 vol d, which may currently be an aspect that is lacking. Counclimemleer Laliberte opined that she wasn't comfortable with the use of reserves to fund the position, initially or subsequently; and opined that with changes with the new Communications Manager position alleviating communication functions in other de par ments, some of the funds allocated for that portion of current positions could be available for the Volunteer Coordinator position. Councilmember LaIlberte suggested determining whether there was current staff who could per- form the Volunteer Coordinator function or a change of functions among current staff, as part of the overall reorganization of the City. Councilmember tten expressed his appreciation of Mr. Trudgeon"s research on this. NVhen reviewing areas that a Volunteer Coordinator could assist with, Coun- ellmernber Eaten noted an example would be the upcoming Buckthom Removal Program in Reservoir Woods scheduled for this weekend; noting that currently Parks & Recreation management staff performed the coordination of efforts such as them, and suggested their time and expertise could be more efficiently and ef- fectively spent on other duties. Councilmember Etten, suggested other areas need- ing coordination including the adopt -a. -park pro ram and expectations/supervision of such groups; as well as heavier maintenance versus those necessary for staff to perform, freeing staff to perform other needed services in a particular neighbor- hood, with the overall goal to maximize and leverage ncw people throughout the City, and move the, City forward. At the request of Mayor Roe, Mr. Trudgeon responded that he was unaware of any communities, other than perhaps in smaller communities, who had a "volun- teer" Volunteer Coordinator position. Mayor Roe spoke in support of freeing staff to utilize their expertise more produc- tively and efficiently. At the request of Councilmember tten, Mr. Brokke noted that volunteer efforts were an everyday process, with some necessary, while others (e.g. natural re- source efforts) were periodic and dependent at time on the interest of the com- munity. However, Mr. Brokke noted that all of the efforts currently required some staff time,, some substantial and others minimal, but noted that this position would certainly reduce staff time. At the request of Mayor Roe, Mr. Brokke advised that staff was very supportive of the proposed Volunteer Coordinator position. Mayor Roe opined that be was intrigued by how this position fit with the City's communications efforts and how the Administration Department served other de- partyntints, and providing a better connection to those communication efforts.