Parks staff changes: new superintendent Barry Porath introduced; longtime employee Bill announces retirement

The Parks & Recreation Commission introduced Barry Porath as the department’s new park superintendent on Dec. 15. Bill (city staff) said Porath has worked for the department about six years and will lead park operations through the winter months, with windstorms and possible plowing among the main near-term challenges.

Bill also reported that the building division has taken custodial services in-house, increasing staff from three to a planned four to cover city campuses including City Hall, the library, streets and engineering, and the police department; staff will ask City Council in January to authorize a new floor-care and lead-custodian position to oversee linoleum and carpet services.

Later in the meeting Bill announced he will retire effective March 20, 2026. He reflected on starting with the department in March 1999 and described decades of waterfront and park work.

"I'm getting paid to work here. What a lucky, lucky man I am," Bill said, thanking colleagues and commissioners. He added that "the incident was a part of my decision," without elaborating; commissioners expressed appreciation and said he will be missed.

The commission accepted the staffing updates and will receive the floor-care position proposal when staff forwards it to City Council for approval.