(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, passed a Resolution that creates the position of Parks and Recreation Coordinator, including the job description and compensation for 2024, The Parks Director’s position will be divided between Public Works Director Kirk Knudsen and the new Parks Coordinator position, with the stipulation the Coordinator reports directly to the Public Works Director.

During the Public Forum portion of the meeting, Atlantic resident Frank Saddlemire, who was instrumental in establishing the highly successful Disc Golf course at Sunnyside Park, and has been involved with activities at the park since 2007, said he was opposed to eliminating the Parks Director’s position, as recommended by the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee earlier this month.

He said he doesn’t see where all the ideas for building the parks system in town will come from, if there’s no parks director to drive the ideas and focus on building the parks and rec system, not delegating it to seeing it through. Councilperson Linda Hartkopf was also opposed to the elimination of the position and dissolution of the Parks Board.

The Parks and Rec Board is the only such entity among the nine boards serving the City of Atlantic, that is elected. Councilman Pat McCurdy suggested an Advisory Board be established, but there is no need for an elected board, which the Parks Board is. Councilman H. Lee Sisco said those he’s spoken with are in favor of getting a new Parks Director, and not eliminating the position and Board. He also spoke with Public Works Director Kirk Knudsen, who said adding the position to his current duties would not overload those duties.

Councilman Dana Halder said an Advisory Board would likely come up with more ideas to improve the parks system, than just having a parks director. Councilperson Hartkopf responded.

The Council set their meeting on August 2nd as the date for a Public Hearing to discontinue to Parks and Recreation Board.