Discuss Employee Wellness Room

The 2025 Strategic Plan, Strategy 9 "Strive for high organizational morale and employee retention", Objective 1 "Expand Employee Wellness Efforts", Action Item 1.3, specifically states "Identify fitness options for City Hall staff similar to what's available to PD, FD, PW".  Staff propose creating a space within City Hall to promote employee wellness and fitness.   Currently, staff in Public Works, the Police Department and both Fire Departments have a dedicated space for wellness and fitness.  Those areas have been explored and are not an option for City Hall staff.  Nearby businesses offering wellness and fitness are great for after-hours. However, for most employees, fitting wellness/fitness into their break time is desirable.  

This matter was discussed with and supported by the Labor Management Committee (LMC).  Staff on the LMC were excited about the opportunity to have a convenient dedicated space at City Hall.  Labor Management Committee members stated their willingness to donate items such as floor mats and free weights, etc.  Many employees participate in lunchtime walking groups; however, rainy days or winter conditions interfere with their ability to keep a consistent routine.   From a recruiting perspective, it would be a nice feature to showcase to prospective employees. 

The recommended location of the wellness room is the Rum River room on the second floor of City Hall. This space is on the list of rooms available for rental by the public; however, the Mississippi River room (an equivalent room) on the first floor (formerly the Library on the Go); is rarely rented and could easily be utilized by the public with no interruption in availability.    

There is no cost for this request. The steps to make this room available to employees are minimal, as follows: move the conference table currently in the Rum River room to the space between the Finance offices and the Engineering offices, move the Engineering equipment currently in that space (where the conference table would go) to the Engineering storage/workroom (this equipment was previously in this space and the necessary power supply is still available), and move the items in the Engineering storage/workroom elsewhere, possibly to the parking ramp storage room.  The City's building maintenance staff would perform the work on this project. In the future, if the Rum River Wellness room grows beyond its capacity, staff would provide the City Council with an update.  For now, this is a fairly simple request to provide a dedicated space for City Hall staff (less the fitness equipment), just as other City staff enjoy. 

5-10 minutes.

There is no funding required at this time. However, as stated, this request aligns with the adopted strategic plan. If funding becomes necessary, it will be addressed in future budgets. 

To provide consensus direction, allowing City staff to proceed with creating a wellness/fitness space in the Rum River room. 

Based on discussion.