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Event coordinator resigns; council weighs part‑time role, board oversight and funding options for Wenzel Family Plaza
Summary
Staff confirmed Nikki Anderson’s resignation as event and program coordinator and discussed options: keep a full-time position, move to part‑time, form a plaza board or shift responsibilities to partners. The city has budgeted about $97,008 for the post in 2026.
City staff told the council that Nikki Anderson has resigned as the city’s event and program coordinator for Wenzel Family Plaza; her last day will be Dec. 1. The council discussed options for replacing her, including hiring a full‑time successor in the 2026 budget, converting the role to part‑time, forming a managing board or commission for the plaza, or relying on partner organizations.
Steve and Justin outlined how the position has historically been funded and structured. Steve said the role became a city staff position on Jan. 1, 2022, with a funding split that has been described in staff presentations as 40% from the city general fund, 40% from the 205 economic development fund, and 20% from parks and recreation. Jordan stated the 2026 budget includes about $97,007.96 for the position (with benefits); staff said the city’s share of that total would be roughly 60 percent (about $59,000).
Councilmembers raised practical concerns about hiring, timing and duties. Justin noted recruiting and event-planning timelines — especially for summer concerts and seasonal series — require action well in advance, and that if the position is not filled by March, the city could face challenges organizing events. Some councilmembers said a part‑time role focused narrowly on plaza programming might be harder to fill and risk continuity; others suggested a formal plaza board or a partnership model to share costs and responsibilities with Visit Marshfield, Main Street Marshfield and private partners.
Council discussed funding options if a new hire is approved: reallocating economic-development funds (including possible transfers from TIF districts if time is demonstrably spent on TIF-related projects), reducing consultant contracts and reassigning existing dollars. Staff recommended leaving the budget slot in place for now and resolving details before the January hiring window, though some council members proposed moving the full budgeted amount into contingency until a final staffing decision is made.
No final staffing decision was made; council directed staff to prepare options and timelines for hiring or restructuring the role and to present those at follow-up meetings ahead of the Nov. 25 public hearing and before the end of the year.
