Council approves P&R coordinator hire, not in favor of additional staff

     Two items on the Dec. 18 Monticello City Council agenda pertaining to the hiring of staff for the Parks and Recreation Department sparked much discussion.

   First on the docket was the hiring of a new P&R Superintendent (now referred to as "Recreation Coordinator").

   In October, Kegan Arduser resigned from that position. After posting the job, accepting applications, and conducting interviews, the council was asked to approve the hiring of Grace Dupuy. The starting salary is $41,000.

   Dupuy has a Bachelor of Science degree in sports marketing and management. She is currently pursuing her master's in sports management, and plans to complete her master's by April 2024.

   She has previous related experience working for the University of Dubuque athletic department as a graduate assistant, and serving as the Intramural Supervisor Team Lead.

   The council approved the hiring of Dupuy, but not before some questions were asked.

   "I question the job description," said Mayor Dave Goedken.

   He also asked if the council was ever going to see numbers from Aquatic Center usage from over the summer, noting a new pool manager was also hired.

   "Will we require the same license (for Dupuy) to operate the pool?" he further asked.

   City Administrator Russ Farnum said Dupuy would have to maintain the same license as Arduser when it came to the pool.

   "The question has been raised, do we need two full-time people?" Goedken went on. "I don't doubt that we do, but are we going to require P&R to handle yard waste, too?"

   With P&R Director Jacob Oswald unable to attend the council meeting, Farnum said he was unable to answer that question.

   Goedken, who attends the Parks & Rec Board meetings, said the comment has been made that maybe P&R staff need to focus more on recreation versus maintenance.

   The council was also asked to approve the hiring of P&R Facility Supervisors at $12 an hour, 20 hours a week.

   These employees would help oversee the Berndes Center (BC) in the evenings and after school during "open gym." The timeframe would be December through March.

   "Recent issues with behavior (of users) and an increase in facility use have led to this request," noted the council information packet.

   Depending on people's availability, multiple people could tackle this role, with one person on the schedule at a time.

   Oswald worked to seek volunteers for this task, but had no luck.

   The employees would also assist Oswald and Dupuy as needed.

   Further, Oswald is also recommending a $2 per person charge for open gym use to help offset the pay for the supervisors. Open gym is currently free.

   If the position is unfilled, P&R foresees limiting the open gym hours, or not allowing it at all.

   This request died due to lack of a second to Council member Wayne Peach's motion to postpone action wanting additional information from Oswald himself.

   "I question creating another position," said Goedken.

   He also felt kids would not be willing to pay the $2 for open gym time.

   "If we charge, how many will pay?" But if we put a charge on it, we may not need open gym."

   Council member Brenda Hanken suggested limiting the open gym time, instead of 4 to 7 p.m.

   Council member Scott Brighton, who also sits on the P&R Board, said there is a security camera system at the BC, but it's poor quality to even identify who's causing the problems.

   "With a camera, we're reacting after the fact," Peach said. "We need to be monitoring it while it happens; stop it then and there."

   Council member Tom Yeoman said those who play pickleball or tennis at the BC have to pay $2 and reserve a court time.

   "Why should there be an exception for everybody else?" he asked of open gym.

   Goedken suggested P&R develop a program for open gym/after school usage versus hiring staff.

   "If there's enough interest, we can hire someone to oversee," he said.

   Farnum urged the council to talk with Oswald on the topic before the next council meeting, and then revisit at a later date.