Staff updates: new hires introduced, park reopening delayed; fire responded with mutual aid

City staff used the meeting’s staff update time to introduce new employees and provide recent operational updates.

Mark, a city staff member, introduced Ellie Larkin as the new finance director; staff said she has already started work on budget matters. Abby introduced Steven Gilmore as the new assistant community development director and noted it was his first day. Staff also said two positions remain open — a planner in Community Development and a building official in Building Inspections — and that recruitment efforts are ongoing.

Dave told the council that the planned grand reopening of a playground at Belts (scheduled for Sept. 11) will be postponed because work is not yet complete; staff will notify the public when a new date is set. Chief Newman reported a structure fire on Hunters Hill that required mutual aid from five neighboring departments; crews controlled the fire in about three hours and there were no injuries.

Jolene reminded the council and the public that the city’s budget survey is live and requested promotion via social media; the survey response count was reported as 78 so far, up from last year. Staff noted several active residential plats and one commercial plat under review, and planning commission meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks.