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City contract firm begins organizational assessment as Mansfield Stadium operations shift to city
Summary
Assistant Director Debbie Jean Nero told the Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee the city contracted Barry Dunn to perform an organizational assessment of the Parks and Recreation Department.
The Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee heard updates May 8 on an organizational assessment and a separate feasibility study for a proposed community facility at Griffin Road.
Assistant Director Debbie Jean Nero told the committee the city contracted Barry Dunn to lead an organizational assessment of the Parks and Recreation Department. The consultant's work includes benchmarking, interviews with division heads and tours of department facilities; staff aim to have the assessment compiled in the coming weeks and finished by June.
Nero said the assessment was prompted in part by the end of an earlier management arrangement at Mansfield Stadium. The stadium — historically managed in partnership with local Little League volunteers including Ron St. Pierre and Dave Mansfield — is moving more fully under city control. Nero said the city has established a dedicated Mansfield Stadium account to keep proceeds generated at the stadium tied to stadium uses; concessions and gate proceeds are now being handled as a city function while maintenance and utilities remain Parks and Recreation responsibilities.
Nero told the committee the department currently relies on staff who cross multiple operational areas and that the assessment will identify whether a dedicated stadium manager or other structural changes are needed to sustain operations.
Separately, the committee received an update on a special committee reviewing a feasibility study for a proposed multiuse community facility at Griffin Road. Nero said the special committee asked Barry Dunn and the project architect, CHA, to add a fitness component to the concept. That change increases square footage and construction cost estimates; staff said the consultants will update cost and square-footage figures and that soils testing is planned for the site.
Nero said the special committee is aiming to finalize its recommendation to City Council by July 10. She also noted that, if the committee proceeds, timing could allow the item to appear on a November ballot if Council directs it forward, and that the consultants will continue refining plans to ensure the committee has current cost information.
Committee members described the review as timely and said the outside assessment will provide a fresh evaluation of staffing, job descriptions and operational efficiencies as the department plans for possible facility expansion.
Next steps: Barry Dunn will complete benchmarking and staffing analysis; staff will return to the committee with the compiled organizational assessment and updated feasibility figures for Griffin Road.
