Council approves Radcliffe Center finishing work and agrees to post parks & rec director after short evaluation

The Garden City Council on Oct. 6 approved final construction and finishing work at the Radcliffe Center and discussed a timeline for posting the parks and recreation director position while the city completes a short operational review.

Parks & Recreation and communications director Zach King described remaining tasks covered by a $20,482.83 quote from All Phases Ceiling and Carpentry funded by Wayne County ARPA dollars. The scope includes shelving and slat walls for the thrift shop, a desk move, electrical work and painting in the teaching kitchen, a teaching‑kitchen mural, outdoor cardio/fitness equipment in a courtyard, and signage. Council member Kara Fotis noted the work uses grant money and asked that it be spent wisely; staff estimated signage costs around $7,200.

Council member Dole moved and the council approved the vendor contract for $20,482.83 (motion passed 7–0). King and staff said the quote would complete the ARPA‑funded Radcliffe projects.

Later in the meeting council debated posting the parks and recreation director job after the prior director’s departure. The city manager explained he wants several months to reorganize staffing and evaluate how to best operate the expanded community center before filling the position, citing the new building’s operational needs and existing internal staff who are already familiar with Radcliffe programming. Council members expressed interest in posting the job and in transparency; after discussion the council agreed to post the position on a timeline that would allow applicants to be reviewed after the holiday season (staff discussed a target that would permit December posting with review in January), and the motion to post was approved 7–0.

Council said they expect the city manager to return with a defined job posting and a timeframe that aligns hiring with the center’s operational milestones.