Brown considers landscape manager candidates

Although there won’t be an urban forester in the city’s future, there will be a local person acting as landscape manager. The deadline for application submittal was July 20.

The Urban Forestry Department was restructured in July 2007. It is now a division under the Parks and Recreation Department. Director Carlene Brown will be making the decision that eluded city officials despite several months and more than one round of interviews.

‘I will be making my recommendation within the next week or so,’ said Brown. ‘I’ve already completed the interviews. Now, I have to pick from the qualified individuals.’

Because the department is now a division and the qualifications adjusted accordingly, the decision was made to advertise locally first and then nationally if a local person could not be found with the right qualifications.

Four applications were received. Out of those, the three most qualified applicants were chosen for formal interviews.

‘I can tell you that the three are well qualified local people,’ said Brown. ‘This will be a hard decision for me. They all want the job and they are all qualified.’

Once chosen, the manager will be in charge of the division’s crew. That crew will be responsible for maintaining the city’s landscaping, trees, cemeteries and plant beds.

Back in July 2007 the department’s other functions were restructured and reassigned to other departments.

‘ The Public Works Department will maintain the right of ways in McMinnville.

‘ The McMinnville Fire Department took over mowing their two stations.

‘ The pump stations will be maintained by the Water and Sewer Department.

Once Brown’s recommendation has been made, City Administrator David Rutherford will have to give his approval.