More hiring at CAPC

Commissioners of the City Advertising and Promotion Commission discussed a request on March 27 from interim Tourism Director Scott Bardin to accept a job description for a “marketing support specialist” who would assist in collating lists of events in town, adding them and businesses to the website, as well as working with local photographers to generate content to be used in future marketing. Bardin told commissioners he had a person in mind who had applied but turned down the role of office coordinator, and all he needed was the commission’s permission to add the job.

Commissioners requested the breakdown of how the money would be afforded to allow the new position and Bardin pointed out that the cost of Paradise Marketing’s time to make social media and website changes now is $175 an hour. Someone local could do the same work for less and be quicker to make needed changes, as well as keep up with events around town. He explained that even with the list of events he had for commissioners, it was something that he and the new office coordinator could fully keep up with along with their other duties and this role would fill that gap saying, “It’s necessary, it really is.”

Commissioner David Avanzino’s main concern was that the candidate understood that with social media being under their purview their work may not fall under a typical 9-5. Bardin said the people he wants in office are those who will work until the work is done, even if that means going above and beyond. He said the candidate understands they may work odd hours to complete their job.  

Chair Chris Clifton said the job description is based on the marketing manager job description, but tweaked to a support position. Avanzino asked if the candidate Bardin had in mind had a marketing degree. Bardin said they did not but they have extensive experience in launching websites and was a business owner, and said if he were fully in charge of the CAPC that he would hire them immediately for the position. Avanzino said that degrees don’t necessarily show a person’s experience and the commission voted unanimously to accept the marketing support specialist job title and allow Bardin to hire.

Bardin also requested the commission approve $2,500 for work Ron Sumner did to assist him in putting together Music in the Park for this year as well as $1,500 for services to handle stage set up for July 4 at Lake Leatherwood City Park.

On the money for Music in the Park, Sumner’s says he is to support CAPC events with technical sound services but is not required to seek performers and assist in promotion. Bardin said, when he first began as interim director, he needed more assistance and Sumner was willing to provide that help for the events.

Bardin said that he was told that Sumner has provided that assistance in the past at no-charge, and that Bardin should not need to pay for that now. Bardin said he disagreed, and the invoice provided to commissioners showed the payments being for additional services beyond Sumner’s contract. Commissioners asked that Sumner’s original contract as an employee be attached, and approved the invoice.

On the topic of July 4, the commission approved the $1,500 for Sumner to handle production of the 5-day July 4 music festival planned by Parks. Bardin mentioned that the previous director had promised to pay for performers during the event and Parks will send invoices for those as contracts are signed. Commissioners all agreed that future agreements be made in writing and not just verbal.

Other Items

• The issue of meetings at 3 p.m. was raised and commissioners agreed to move back to 5 p.m. workshops and 6 p.m. meetings.
• The discussion of by-laws was postponed to the next workshop so commissioners could have time to look over the unsigned versions and propose amendments as needed.
• The Chamber of Commerce’s request for marketing support for shipping their guide was approved unanimously. The same was true for the Parks Department’s request for support for print costs of pamphlets detailing trails. Commissioners requested a QR code leading the CAPC website be included in that pamphlet.
• Resident Heather Wilson spoke to commissioners during Public Comments saying that her résumé shows previous work building startups and that as director, of which she has applied, she would help businessowners and others share the stories of Eureka Springs with the world.
• Former Mayor Beau Satori took issue with Public Comments being last in the meeting, saying it is meant to be a time for citizens to express opinions of items on the agenda and to give the commissioners something to think about as they discuss those items. He also said the CAPC is supposed to post job descriptions to get candidates and voiced dissent to commissioners agreeing to hiring for a new position without doing so.