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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, October 28, 2013 <br />Page 13 <br />Mr. Br e 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 perfon-ned <br />when the Nature Center was opened in 1990, with that facility still prim arily 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 />1* f <br />or spec ic 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 poliews as applicable. <br />Mayor Roe noted that this farther supported a Vol unteer 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 />Councilmeniber McGehee echoed the collective comments; opinincy JD 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 terins, 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 n person, with the right <br />skill set and personality, to address opportunities throughout the comm urn ity and <br />to become an integral part of staff, serving as a service person for all departments <br />within the City, with each project incoi-porated into the larger picture. C0111CUITIng <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 />CQuid lmember Laliberte suggested a pilot program for the first six months, while <br />the Communications staff was reorganized, whether finding someone inte mall <br />y <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 />v idc information on how best to proceed and how a position could work in Rose- <br />ville. Councilinember Laliberte opined that the position was a great idea, but how <br />to do it and fund it needed further deten-DI'nation, initially how to best handle and <br />organize the Citvs current volunteer force. Council member Laliberte suggested <br />W <br />