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ii Item: 8 <br /> ElkMEMORANDUM <br /> River <br /> TO: Parks and Recreation Commission <br /> FROM: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br /> DATE: February 12, 2014 <br /> SUBJECT: Director's Report <br /> This report is a monthly highlight of our Department's activities informing the Commission on <br /> items related to collaborations, strategic planning, staff changes/ development, and park operations. <br /> Parks Maintenance Position <br /> A job announcement for our new Parks Maintenance position recently approved by City Council <br /> has been posted on national and state professional job sites. The position closes on Tuesday, <br /> February 18. <br /> Recreation Coordinator Position <br /> Our new Recreation Coordinator Tim Dalton will be introduced to the Commission at the February <br /> 12 meeting. <br /> Parks and Recreation Master Plan <br /> A copy of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan survey is attached for you to review. It has been <br /> reviewed and updated by the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Committee several times. It has <br /> been sent to City Council in a weekly update and will be sent out to the general public by the end of <br /> this month. Up to 2,500 surveys will need to be sent out with the correct questions to make the <br /> attached survey statistically valid. Focus group sessions will be held in March. <br /> Staff Development <br /> A strong showing of WW IP, Streets,Park Maintenance and Recreation staff attended an in-house <br /> training program called Whale Done. The course was developed by Ken Blanchard and focuses on <br /> building trust, accentuating the positive and redirecting the negative when needed. The program <br /> uses the analogy of how trainers at SeaWorld achieve better results with the killer whales with this <br /> approach. Michael and Suzanne facilitated the training <br /> Department Retreat <br /> We had a department retreat with the entire department staff on February 6 to discuss department <br /> values, mission and objectives for 2014. Our major objectives for 2014 are the following: 1. Parks <br /> and Recitation Master Plan; 2. Arena/Activity Center Facilities Plan; 3. Promote/Engage our <br /> citizens; 4. Houlton Property, 5. Renovate Orono Park and, 5. Pinewood Golf Course. <br />