HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-11-13city council minutesBook 16
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SPECIAL MEETING
November 13, 1975
3:30 P.M.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pasley.
The roll of the Council was called with the following members
present: Gamboa, Dakan, Carter, McCluskey, Williams. Absent:
Banks.
(DISCUSSION REGARDING PARKS AND RECRRATION DEPARTMENT)
The Mayor informed the City Council that this executive
session of the City Council was called at the request of
Art Collins, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department.
The purpose of the meeting wa's to discuss the pros and cons
of the possibility of dividing the Parks and Recreation
Department into two separate Departments - The Recreation
Department and the Parks Department.
The Mayor recognized George Tavares, the Chairman of the
Parks and Recreation Commission, who stated that the Commission
had voted unanimously for the continuance of the Caldwell
Park and Recreation Director at their last meeting. The
Commission recommended that this decision be presented to
the City Council at a November meeting and that Art Collins
and Jess Payne were to present their feelings regarding the
situation at this same meeting. Mr. Tavares went on to
comment how well the parks were looking and that they would
all like to see things remain as they were for at least one
more year.
Councilman McCluskey asked Mr. Tavares if they were aware of
why the City Council was considering the separation of the
Parks and Recreation Department. Councilman McCluskey
went on to explain that finances had a great deal to do with
it as well as the work load. He said that he felt they were
doing the Department a favor by separating it so Mr. Collins
could spend more time with the Recreation part of the program.
Jess Payne, the Parks Superintendent, was then recognized by
the Mayor. Mr. Payne told the City Council that he also
felt the Parks and Recreation Department should stay under one
Director. He went on to explain the many projects that had
been accomplished this year and the problems that had presented
themselves.
Councilman Dakan explained that personalities was not the
question here, but the fact that the tree spraying and weed
control was too much for the Department this year. Therefore,
other things suffered because of it.
The Mayor then recognized Art Collins, the Director of the Parks
and Recreation Department, who presented his perspectives
regarding the problem at hand. He also felt that the
Department of Parks and Recreation should not be separated.
Mr. Collins explained at great length the reasons for his
feelings and explained with charts the chain of progression
achieved with the Department as one.
The Mayor then explained that the City Council hired the
Department Heads-with the Mayor being the administrator. He
felt that the Parks and Recreation Department this year was
most unsatisfactory. The Mayor explained further why he felt
this way and stated to the Council that he felt there was going
to have to be a decision made regarding this Department. He
felt that it would have to be one of the following: either
Book 16
Page 223
to keep the Parks and Recreation Department together and
in that case request a new Director or separate them and then
he felt that Mr. Collins would do an excellent job as the
Recreation Director. He commended Mr. Collins on the job
done with the swimming pool and further stated that .Tess Payne
was doing a good job on the Parks.
After much discussion, it was recommended by Councilman
McCluskey that the City Council and the three new members
of the City Council meet together in a private session to
discuss this situation further. The City Council agreed this
was their wish as well.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
at 4:35 P.M.
APPROVED AS written THIS 18th DAY OF November , 1975.
Ct ,e
Mayor "
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Councilman
ATTEST:
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City C1e _