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In response to a question, Director Ducu discussed the department's staffing patterns. Staffing is <br /> slightly down 1-2 positions in some divisions. The Department is working with HR to make hires <br /> and get up to full staffing levels. All positions are posted. Director Ducu noted the challenge this <br /> year of finding seasonal help. Six refuse positions were needed and only one was successfully <br /> hired. He spoke about the challenge of competing for employees with employers like Cedar <br /> Point, which were paying $20/hour and offering sign-on bonuses. <br /> Councilmember Bullock noted the great volume of maintenance required for the parks and asked <br /> if the department uses any metrics to measure its work in parks maintenance functions for <br /> success and improvements. For example, he noted that the grass at the Solstice Steps is often in <br /> need of improvement. <br /> Director Ducu replied that the Department remains always interested in improvement. He <br /> discussed the department's approach to maintenance at the Solstice Steps and pointed to the <br /> Parks Master Plan as the guiding document. <br /> Director Ducu also added that Clifton Prado Park was another accomplishment of the Parks <br /> Division in 2021. He noted that this was a Council budget priority and thanked everyone who <br /> helped to make it possible. <br /> Mark Papke—2021 and 2022 capital project highlights <br /> Engineer Papke delivered the attached presentation which highlighted 2021 capital projects, <br /> some of which will conclude in 2022. He discussed the budgets and timelines for each project, <br /> including grant contributions. Projects include Fire Station 2 addition, Summit Outfall <br /> rehabilitation, Lakewood Park Skatehouse, Detroit Ave./Sloane intersection, and Foster Pool and <br /> Lakewood Park parking lot improvements. <br /> Regarding the Summit Outfall rehabilitation, Engineer Papke explained that the adjacent <br /> property owner will put in a shoreline revetment at his own cost. A few months ago, Council <br /> approved the submerged lands lease to make that possible. <br /> Engineer Papke discussed the planned watermain replacement projects for 2021-2023. He <br /> discussed specific streets that will be impacted, project budgets, project grants and other details <br /> of the projects. <br /> In response to a question by Chairman Bullock, Engineer Papke discussed the factors that <br /> contribute to the selection of the watermain projects. He explained that the City is trying to stay <br /> within its IWWIP but for repairs. Decisions are based on pavement condition rating, frequency <br /> of water main breaks and fire hydrant flow levels. He acknowledged that it is not an exact <br /> science. For example, Leedale was resurfaced several years ago, during a time when its <br /> watermain was in good condition. However, after the Lake Ave. watermain was replaced, the <br /> higher flows put pressure on the Leedale watermain and caused issues, making replacement <br /> necessary. <br /> 2 <br />