WILMINGTON — Two new positions may be added to the City of Wilmington.
Marian Miller, executive assistant to the mayor, said during Judiciary Committee that Public Service Director Brian Shidaker had mentioned this idea to the Administrative and Judiciary Committees, but it had not been addressed to the whole council.
The two proposed jobs are a public service coordinator for the safety director and a chief landfill operator.
Jeanne Pope, director of human resources, said the public service coordinator is currently represented, but not in the proper designation. According to her, this would allow the director to go out, make deals, and talk to people, all the while maintaining control of the current projects.
The job would absorb the cemetery clerk position, according to Miller.
In regards to the chief landfill operator position, Landfill Superintendent Michael Crowe said they’re in need of a third person on the hill no matter what.
“I found myself in equipment just trying to get things in order to where we can pass EPA inspections. It makes it hard for me to go out and do things I need to do,” said Crowe.
He pointed out that other departments have a chief operator, so having a chief operator on the hill would make sure things are getting done and allow Crowe to complete his other duties.
Miller told those attending that the idea is to “clean up the existing legislation” for current employees as they move forward with new legislation for the new job descriptions. She said this won’t likely affect current employees, but they want to stop “the bleeding on unnecessary positions” and eliminate ones that would not be hired under the old pay scale.
There was no official legislation made on the jobs. Miller said they want to make sure such legislation gets rid of any redundancies and cleans it up, and adds the two requested positions.
“Matt (Purkey) and I have talked and all of us would like to get it right the first time,” said Miller.
Also during council:
• Angela Mitchell-Koster gave an update on WALH radio since the recent death of Lee Hendee.
She said that Hendee Broadcasting Inc. will become an LLC. This means they won’t have to worry about underwriting or certain FCC regulations, according to Mitchell-Koster. For example, a broadcaster may be allowed to name a business and give an endorsement if they want. She also said many aspects of the station will remain the same but additions are planned, mainly expanding the public forum aspect of it.
• During the Judiciary report, Chairman Matt Purkey said a public hearing on medical marijuana is planned for the July 20 city council meeting.
