August 19, 2021 at 1:19 p.m.
City administrator offers update on search for new fire chief, city engineer during council work session
City administrator offers update on search for new fire chief, city engineer during council work session
The discussion began with city administrator Zach Vruwink reporting that final rules for use of the $800,000 in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds the city is due to receive are nearing completion. The city is set to receive $400,000 this year and $400,000 next year, he said.
Vruwink also noted that the results of the housing study commissioned by the council earlier this year are due in September and there are "at least three developers anxiously awaiting" the completion of that research. Similarly, the council also commissioned a hotel study which is underway. There are "at least two hotel developers" looking to potentially capitalize on the results of that study, he added.
On the personnel front, Rhinelander is "actively recruiting" for the city engineer position, however "five or six other cities are recruiting for the exact same position," Vruwink said.
When the updated city organizational chart was unveiled in June, Vruwink noted that the city was looking to hire a standalone "city engineer" rather than a public works director. However, he noted that the position would not necessarily oversee the water, wastewater and street departments.
The "public works director" position has been vacant since May 2019 when the council voted to terminate the employment of former public works director Tim Kingman.
Kingman later filed a lawsuit against the city related to his termination. That lawsuit is still pending in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Vruwink had positive news to report regarding Northwood Golf Club.
The course is "running ahead of revenue" so far this summer, he said.
In his Aug. 9 written report to the council, Vruwink noted the golf course's 2021 revenue year-to-date was $515,000 as opposed to $379, 909 year-to-date in 2020.
"July was an especially good month," he wrote. "Over 800 more rounds (were) played in 2021 over 2020 and revenues were $40,000 ahead of budget."
Vruwink also noted the 2022 budget process is underway. Individual departments have received their budget workbooks and presentations to the council will be scheduled soon, he said.
Vruwink also offered an update on the search for a new fire chief.
Josh Schmitz has served as interim chief since the June retirement of former assistant chief Tom Waydick. Waydick took over as interim chief in February following the retirement of Terry Williams.
The deadline to apply for the fire chief position was July 23 and over 15 people submitted applications, he said, adding that the list of applicants has been turned over to the Police and Fire Commission and the hope is the selection process will move forward promptly.
"One thing that I'd like to work with the next chief on is a staffing utilization and needs analysis," Vruwink added, noting that the analysis would touch "on the former assistant chief/building inspector position that was re-created outside of the department."
Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
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