Once Councilor Barry Kell had made a motion to approve Evenson’s hiring, City Clerk Alicia Hunter read a letter from Doris Kinnick advocating for another individual: current Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Hart, citing her knowledge of the department and her previous experience during natural disasters like the 2018 tornado.

Julie Shumaker then stepped forward to the speaking podium and shared her support for Hart along with concerns that hiring another candidate could push her to look elsewhere and jeopardize the future of the Parks and Rec Special Olympics program she helps to lead.

According to Shumaker, Hart had been passed over for the second time for the director’s position despite “fulfilling this role” in the absence of a director. She also wondered if her educational background in human resources as opposed to a different field was affecting the council’s decision.

“This is a human services skill set that is essential to the director’s position, who must relate to the people in order to best address and acquire the community participation,” Shumaker said. “She has raised and maintained that relationship within this community to engage its people, its businesses and its various programs to enhance the lives within this community. The community knows her (and) trusts her, and this is why she is able to recruit volunteers for the various programs. It’s why our local businesses don’t hesitate to provide whatever goods and services are asked of them for free, and it is why the people in this community use Parks and Rec to enhance their daily lives.”

Evenson

She also took issue with the suggestion that Hart’s project management skills were a weakness, and Shumaker felt both candidates would have a learning curve regardless of who was hired. She then expressed concern about the potential “destabilization” of the Special Olympics program if Hart would look for employment in another community.

“What we think of a better candidate is someone that can make it stable while it grows. You are risking her leaving and having no one to rely on for these programs or for training or for whatever other purpose you want. You could stick this man in a position with no support,” she said. “And it’s shortsighted because you already have what you need there. You know, his papers may look better, he may have went to a better school, whatever, but we have what this community needs.”

She reiterated her plea that the council reconsider its decision and see the issue from “a different perspective.” Linda Clark then told the council she didn’t know much about the hiring process or what qualifications were being sought.

“We are kind of left in the dark. You guys go into closed session, come back, you’re gonna vote. I don’t even know how you were considering the new park director,” she said.

Clark added that she had questions and wondered if Hart would be fired from her job.

“No one is going to can Jenni from her job. Also, the job description was on the city webpage, so you can see what was required,” Mayor Pro Tem Mike Ladehoff said.

“Well, I wasn’t interested in the job, so I didn’t look at it. I looked at the park stuff, and there wasn’t anything for me to play with at the playground equipment that you passed,” Clark replied.

Larry Lubbert approached the podium and also expressed his support for Hart, citing his own background as the father of three special needs children.

“If she gets overlooked again and goes looking elsewhere for a job, it’s gonna devastate those kids, and it’s gonna devastate more than just that program,” he said. “Because like Julie said, you ain’t gonna find nobody else who sinks their heart and soul in the program like that.”

He also called for a reconsideration of the appointment. Councilor Melisa Fonseca then asked City Administrator Carol Webb if Hart had been performing Hubbard’s job duties since the now former director departed for his current position as the city of Johnston’s Parks and Rec director.

“Geoff left the organization in October, and so, for two months, the duties have been divided up, I would say, between some of Geoff’s direct reports. So Jenni has done some of those tasks. Other employees in the office have done others,” Webb said.

The motion to approve Evenson as the next director then passed by a 6-1 tally with Fonseca as the lone dissenter. According to information Webb provided, Evenson has over 20 years of experience in the parks and recreation industry, serving as the Parks Superintendent for the city of Roseville, Minn. from 2001 to 2016 and as the Superintendent of Parks and Parks Planning for the city of Maple Grove, Minn. from 2016 to 2019. His most recent position was with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as the director of asset management.

“He has extensive experience in developing and managing capital improvement programs as well as managing day-to-day operations of a parks and recreation department,” Webb said. “We are excited to welcome him to Marshalltown.”

At presstime, Hart had not responded to a request for further comment.