5.3. SR 05-20-1996ity of
**ITEM 5.3.**
Vel'
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and City Council
FROM: Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent
DATE:
May 20, 1996
SUBJECT: Summer Part Time Employees
I ask the City Council's permission to hire two former part time
employees for the 1996 season. Christopher Leeseberg has worked
with the Street/Park Department for four years with last year's wage
at $7.25 per hour. I would also suggest that Chris receive a pay
increase to $7.55 per hour on July 1, 1996. This is recommended to
keep pace with the experience and job skills that he has to offer this
department.
Dave Ranstrom is presently employed by a plastic molding company in
Rogers and would also like to work with the Street/Park Department
part time. I would suggest that Dave be hired to operate a mower 3
days a week for 4 hours per day at a wage of $6.35 (pay grade 1, level
A) which is an increase of $.35 per hour over last year.
In my annual report, I suggested creating a "park ranger" position for
weekends and holidays during the summer months. This person could
be a part time employee and of post high school age working for an
average of 7 hours per day. It is desirable that this person would be
equipped with a pickup truck and a two-way radio to carry out the job
duties of public relations, security, shelter reservations, trash clean up,
and general good will. I believe that the presence of a city
representative would have a positive effect on park users and deter a
certain amount of park abuse. A park ranger would not eliminate the
need for police or CSO patrols, but could reduce the number of patrols
needed. Operating with a park ranger through the summer months
would involve a cost of about $2,310.00. This is based on 30 days or
210 hours at the wage of $11.00 per hour.
The park and street part time labor budget is nearly committed for
1996, but I feel that this is service that is well worthwhile. At a
minimum, I would like the Council's permission to budget for a park
ranger for 1997.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
About 20 years ago, the city provided a life guard at Orono beach. As
summer nears, it is again an issue that should be discussed by the City
Council.
The cost to maintain a life guard at the beach from noon until 8:00 pm,
7 days per week - from June 7th to September 2nd - would cost about
$10,272.00 in wages alone. There will certainly be some rainy days,
but a person would need to be "on call" in case of a change in weather.
It is possible that on busy days it would require two life guards to do
an adequate job. This would amount to 15% (or a significant sum) of
our total personal services budget for parks.
The alternative is for the city to provide a beach area that is free from
hazards. It is suggested that marker buoys designate the swimming
area and signs be posted so that park users realize that there is no life
guard provided.
s: \council\strptemp.doc