CR 98-162 Staffing Plan for the Hopkins Center for the Arts & the Hopkins PavilionSeptember 29, 1998
Proposed Action
Overview
Primary Issues to Consider
Supporting Documents
• None
y Strachota, Facilities Manager
Council Report 98 -162
Staffing Plan for the Hopkins Center for the Arts and the Hopkins Pavilion
Staff recommends approval the following motion: Motion to approve a new staffing
plan for the Hopkins Pavilion and Hopkins Center for the Arts as recommended
by staff and the Hopkins Center for the Arts Operations Board.
The Operations Board recommends that the Council adopt a new staffing plan that
would increase staffing at the Arts Center to a level that would meet the current activity
demands. The plan would divide the Facilities Manager's time 80/20 percent to the Arts
Center and Pavilion, respectively. The Arts Center would hire one regular part -time
employee to work 20 -25 hours per week and also utilize the Pavilion Secretary 10 hours
per week. The Pavilion operation would return to the staffing structure of Pavilion
Manager, Assistant Pavilion Manager, Secretary and seasonal part -time employees.
The Pavilion Manager would report to the Facilities Manager until December 31, 1999.
After that date, the Pavilion Manager will report to the Parks & Forestry Superintendent
and the Facilities Manager will become 100% dedicated to the Arts Center.
For the past 9 months the Arts Center and Pavilion have operated under an interim
management plan. This plan was implemented to allow staff time to determine to what
degree the Arts Center activity was initial start -up activity, before permanent staffing
measures were implemented.
It has now become apparent that the Arts Center activity level is beyond what existing
staff can effectively accommodate. To move forward to a permanent staffing plan the
Pavilion will return to the organizational structure that has proven successful in the past
and the Arts Center will add a regular part -time employee to assist with scheduling
rooms, clerical and assist with volunteer activities.
• Is the recommended staffing plan the best alternative for both facilities given budget
constraints and activity levels?
Will this staffing plan be sufficient for the future of the facilities?
Primary Issues to Consider
■ Is the recommended staffing plan the best alternative for both facilities given
budget constraints and activity levels?
The Pavilion staffing structure will return to a structure that has proven successful in
the past. Don Olson, Interim Pavilion Manager, will apply for the Pavilion Manager
position. The structure will be further strengthened by the fact that no staff member
previously involved with the Pavilion will leave City employment. All the staff
members are still available for consultation, recommendations and historical
information. The budget impact of this change is neutral, personnel costs will remain
are roughly the same as the past.
Currently the staff at the Arts Center spend a great deal of time in day to day
operational tasks. Financially, the greatest opportunities and challenges exist in
fundraising, grant writing, membership programs, volunteer administration for the
Arts Center. By hiring a regular part -time employee to assist in the day to day
scheduling, clerical and volunteer activities, existing staff can focus on the greater
opportunities facing the Arts Center, as well as, improving efficiencies of the current
operations. The additional 10 hours of assistance from the Pavilion Secretary will
aid existing staff with bookkeeping, record keeping and clerical.
Staff has chosen to take a part -time approach to staffing as this will meet the current
needs of the Arts Center and future needs may require a specialist such as an
employee with grant writing, fundraising, or volunteer administrative experience.
Budget concerns are also a reason that staff has chosen a part -time staffing
approach at the Arts Center. Revenues continue to grow although revenues do not
yet meet expenses. Fundraising, grant writing and membership programs are the
most obvious opportunities to raise revenues for the Arts Center. Additional part -
time assistance at this time will allow existing staff to work in these areas.
• Will this staffing plan be adequate for the facilities in the future?
The Pavilion operates at near capacity for activity level and the staffing plan will
meet the facility's future needs.
The Arts Center has growth potential in many areas of operation. What lies ahead is
the implementation of the Operations Board's strategic plan, and meeting the
evolving needs and desires of the City, Operations Board, Tenants, Renters, and
Civic Organizations. As the Arts Center implements the strategic plan and meets
the needs and desires of it's key players, the need for a change or additional staffing
may occur. At this point, with 11 months of operational history to base a staffing
decision, this staffing plan will meet the Arts Center needs. If in the future
specialized needs arise the decision to change or hire staff will be considered at that
time.