Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks Department Seeks Two Positions to Staff 87,000 sq ft Oscar Johnson Center; Council Questions Funding Under Hiring Freeze
Summary
Parks staff requested two new positions—a community program manager and a facilities/rental coordinator—to operate the new Oscar Johnson Jr. facility. Council members pressed staff on funding, hiring‑freeze rules and operational costs (notably energy in a largely glass facility). Staff said positions would be included in FY2025–26 departmental
Deputy Director McCheska presented a reorganizational chart for Parks & Recreation tied to the opening of the new Oscar Johnson Jr. facility and asked the council to approve two new positions: a parks recreation manager for community programs and a parks and recreation coordinator for facility rentals and events. McCheska said the new center (approx. 86,000–87,000 sq ft) will centralize programs, expand event capacity and consolidate rental scheduling for the city's 20+ parks and facilities.
Council members repeatedly raised the citywide hiring freeze and asked whether these positions had been budgeted. McCheska said the two positions would be included in the FY2025–26 budget and staff believed they could be funded departmentally through reorganization and prior cuts; however, several council members asked for a departmental personnel cost snapshot to confirm whether the positions would be cost neutral. Councilmembers also asked for a strategy for operating cost planning, given the facility’s large glass footprint and anticipated high heating/cooling expenses; staff said they would return with a strategy and operational plan.
Councilmembers also asked parks and police staff to address reports of homeless encampments and safety concerns in several parks, particularly on the East Side. Chief Buckholz said staff would increase presence and work with partners; staff said the city has donated five acres for a homeless program and will coordinate existing services.
No hiring authorization or ordinance was adopted at the workshop; staff said they will include the positions in the proposed FY2025–26 budget and return with additional cost detail and a staffing strategy before final adoption.
