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Parks and libraries plan three changes after Walter Research report: safety monitors, HR coordination, master contracts
Summary
Staff told the Saint Paul Audit Committee that, following Walter Research’s recommendations, parks and libraries plan to pilot vapor/smoking monitors in two library restrooms, align some HR hiring processes and develop shared master contracts to streamline vendor procurement in 2025.
Committee staff reported that Parks and Libraries will implement three priority areas identified in Walter Research’s final report and aim to work together on them in 2025.
The staff member briefing the committee summarized the three focus areas: public safety, human resources and vendors/contracts. On public safety, staff said the library piloted "vaporous monitors" in two locations to detect smoking and vaping in restrooms after a safety-manager recommendation and that parks may coordinate similar devices at their sites. On human resources, staff said the departments plan to meet regularly to look for shared hiring processes and mirrored procedures. On vendors and contracts, the departments plan to pursue master contracts and release RFPs—modeled on prior work with Alder Research—so both departments can leverage the same vendors and improve performance.
Committee members welcomed the update and said they look forward to a fuller breakdown from parks and libraries at a general meeting in 2025. The committee noted it lacks formal authority to force implementation but appreciated that departments intend to move forward with the recommendations.
