City Administrator Brent Buerck explained to the Perryville Board of Aldermen the difficulty the city is having in hiring lifeguards for the municipal pool at the Perry Park Center when it met in regular session Dec. 17 at city hall.
Buerck explained that the city is considering several changes to its part-time pay plan due to the increase in minimum wage that will become law in Missouri at the start of the new year. During a drive, he and Parks and Recreation Director Jim Cadwell had several conversations with the pool director about increasing the pay for city lifeguards.
“We had originally proposed that we would adjust even more the wages for the lifeguards,” Buerck said. “As we talked about this and thought through it, we've had zero lifeguards sign up for our last two classes, so, we have one scheduled over the Christmas break — zero folks signed up. We had one scheduled earlier — zero folks signed up.”
The city has required that people taking lifeguard training through the city have to pay to attend the class.
“If you stay for 90 days, it's $200,” Buerck said. “So, we're going to collect $200 from you, and we’re going to ask you to give about 25 to 26 hours for the training, and then we're going to hire you. If you stay 90 days, then we're going to give you your $200 back. We understand why kids aren't signing up for that deal, so what we would propose is that we instead pay for the class, pay for their certification, which is not that much dissimilar to what we're doing in the police department with the academy. Essentially, if you complete it successfully, we will give you a check for $200 at the end of the program. The idea is that we would remove the barrier of having to have money up front to do it, and that we would give immediate gratification of a check at the end.”
Buerck suggested that the board make a quick decision on the plan so the city could start advertising and promoting it
“We can maybe get some kids to sign up for this training because as you know, the pool is the single most expensive thing you guys own and operate,” he said. “For us to shorten ours because we can't get lifeguards only makes it more expensive.”
The board’s decision on the matter was postponed until a future meeting.
In other action, the board approved:
– the consent agenda items
– a resolution for the city to enter into a five-year agreement with Rottler Pest and Lawn Solutions for pest control services.
– a resolution for the city to enter into a financial reimbursement for a new residential lot development agreement with Winwood Enterprises, LLC, relative to the new construction of a duplex subdivision.
– an IT security policy required by the city’s insurance policy.
– a sales agreement between the city and Community Counseling Center for the purchase of the Perryville Police Department building at 120 N. Jackson St., and the thrift store at 123 W. North St.
– an ordinance relative to personnel rules and regulations regarding victims of domestic or sexual violence leave.
– an ordinance adding Chapter 8.25 to the Perryville Municipal Code relative to hunting within the city limits.
– an ordinance entering into an agreement with TG Missouri Corporation relative to a taxable industrial revenue bond.
– the acceptance of an easement deed from Paul and Donna Strattman for the repair and maintenance of a sinkhole.
In other matters, the board heard reports from various committees, as well as reports given by the city administrator and city engineer. Also, board concerns and comments were heard, along with other non-action items, prior to entering closed session.