The council’s deliberations revealed a critical need to fill two full-time positions and a temporary role within the administrative staff. The temporary position, proposed to add an essential 15 hours a week to the existing workload, was a key focus, with council members emphasizing the necessity of swift action to alleviate the burden on current staff. One potential candidate for this temporary position was Mary, a former employee, whose familiarity with the city’s systems for billing water and sewer services was noted as a potential advantage for a seamless transition.

Council members highlighted the overwhelming workload on current staff, underscoring the need for immediate support, especially to manage basic administrative tasks effectively. There was a consensus that a temporary secretarial position could ease these pressures, allowing current employees to concentrate on more critical responsibilities.

However, concerns about the hiring process itself were also at the forefront of the council’s discussions. The necessity of ensuring fairness in recruitment was repeatedly underscored, with the council emphasizing that all candidates, including Mary, should undergo a formal interview process. This approach aimed to maintain transparency and equal opportunity, a principle deemed vital by the council members.

The conversation also touched on the broader implications of hiring temporary staff without benefits for up to 40 hours a week. Legal considerations were raised, with suggestions to classify such roles as limited tenure positions to align with state guidelines. The council expressed a desire for more research into these legal aspects before making definitive decisions.

To expedite the hiring process, the council considered engaging staffing agencies as a potentially more efficient solution than traditional job postings. Names like Kelly Services and Express Professionals were mentioned as possible partners to quickly fill the temporary role. Nonetheless, the financial implications of using agencies were a point of consideration, as agencies typically take a portion of the wages paid to temporary staff.

In addition to temporary hiring, the restructuring of the city clerk position was a significant topic. The council acknowledged the vital importance of quickly appointing a city clerk with expertise in state statutes and finances, especially with the impending implementation of a new computer program. The Personnel Committee was tasked with reviewing and approving updated job descriptions to ensure that qualifications were clearly defined, an effort to streamline recruitment and support the city’s operational needs effectively.

The need to address existing employee vacancies, particularly in public works, was also raised as a priority.