This evening’s City Council’s proceedings were as short and uneventful as the agenda. After the 30 minute Executive Session where Council discussed the loss of the Appeal case with Warrior Racing, Council entered a Study Session to cover two very interesting topics. The Retirement of Bob Steggeman, City Streets Supervisor and the adoption of a new City Logo (Covered under a separate article available here)
During budget and capital improvement discussions earlier this year Council looked at slashing costs by consolidating the Streets and Parks Departments into one “Services Department” with only one supervisor.
Council at the time did not take this action, however with the announcement of Bob Steggeman’s retirement on May 31st, the City council members are taking a second look at this consolidation. Currently there are 4 full time employees in the Streets Department and 3 full time employees in the Parks Department. This consolidation would mean the Supervisor would manage all 7 employees and thereby create an annualized budget savings of $69,885.
President Hale asked Jim Asher, Parks Superintendent if the consolidation would be feasible for his department. Jim replied, “It will be a trial and error thing, springtime is a busy time for both streets and parks… it is something that we can make happen”
Jon Crusey stated “Consolidation gives us the option to consolidate the 2 positions for a year and see how it goes. We have some flexibility to consider backfilling this position next year”
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President Hale called Council to order.
Mayor Dee Gillis presented a representative with the Red Cross with a Proclamation for March being American Red Cross Month.
Resolutions
Resolution 14-10 passed unanimously to endorse the existing condition assessment phase of Going Places.
