The exterior of Saint John City Hall is pictured in this file photo. (Staff photo)
The city is looking to hire an Uptown Program Manager as a way to “monetize” events.
The new one year contract position would oversee uptown event management, the creation of a new cruise ship market, and the deployment of a new “sea can” portable washroom and waterbottle station, which can be booked for events.
Additionally, if events want to serve alcohol, one of the containers will be able to house taps and coolers.
At approximately $33,000 for the sea can project, and $65,000 as an annual salary for the program manager, some councillors feel spending the money is not a good look, especially with a looming structural deficit.
But city staff say “we have to spend money to make money,” and see the new role as a way to “capture lost revenue and create new revenue streams” for the city.
The Sea Can project will also generate revenue, says staff, as events will be charged a fee to book it.
The pilot projects will be debated around the horseshoe at Monday night’s council meeting.
