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Council directs staff to refill wastewater, lifeguard and emergency staffing needs
Summary
Councilors instructed staff to backfill a vacant wastewater operations position, approved hiring three lifeguard replacement positions at the Wellness Campus and agreed to let the fire chief recruit part‑time and replace a full‑time operations position to restore coverage.
City department heads briefed the council April 7 on budgeted vacancies and operational staffing needs across multiple departments. Councilors gave direction to proceed with recruitment in each area.
Wastewater: Wastewater Superintendent Jared Keen told the council the plant’s staffing plan calls for nine full‑time equivalents to operate the treatment facility, collection system and seven lift stations. The department is budgeted for the position that recently became vacant; Keen asked to refill the post and to plan future requests to reach the target staffing level. Councilors agreed to backfill the vacant position and supported the plan to pursue additional staff as needed.
Parks & Recreation / Wellness Campus: Recreation staff reported they will lose roughly 20 of approximately 40 lifeguards this season (about 11 to graduation and others to transfers). Lifeguards must complete a certification course that requires at least six participants; staff requested authority to fill three replacement part‑time lifeguard positions already in process and noted more hires will likely be needed. Council approved proceeding with the three replacement positions and acknowledged further recruitment will be required.
Fire/EMS: Fire Chief reported part‑time and paramedic recruitment remains challenging following industry‑wide workforce shifts. The department has used overtime to maintain coverage and budgeted for part‑time hours; the chief requested authority to post for part‑time hires to rebuild a roster and to fill one recently vacated full‑time operations/paramedic position. Councilors directed the chief to post and recruit to restore part‑time rosters (targeting roughly 23–25 part‑time staff) and to fill the single full‑time vacancy to improve 24‑hour ambulance coverage.
Ending: Council gave affirmative direction for the three staffing actions; staff will proceed with recruitment and return with hires as needed. The transcript records no separate roll‑call votes for these direction items; councilors signaled consensus during discussion.
