HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.B 3/17/2014 A-gortawIte ni#4.3
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DATE: March 17, 2014
TO: Honorable Mayor"and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Dan Steotor;:Public Works & Utilities
Larry Zimmer-, P.E. — Manager, Capital.ImprovementsDivision
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Position Allocation for Associate Civil Engineer in the
Public Works.&Utilities.Department
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommendedthat the CityCouncil:adopt the attachedresolution authorizing.a position
allocation for AssociataCivif Engineer in the Public Works &.Utilities.Department.
BACKGROUND
The Capital Improvement Division within the Public Works &Utilities Department is
responsible for the development,management and implementationrof:capital.improvement
projects. The City requires the;successful completion.of keywater and wastewater utility projects
and programs,including extending-the recycled water system, significant water and sewer main
replacements, upgrades to water<andsewer pump stations and.reservoirs, and Ellis Creek Water
Recycling Plant improvement.
The City has lost two Senior CivilEngineers since last year and recently replaced-one in
February 2014 through an internal recruitment. The City recently added two Engineering
Technicians in_the last quarter and currently has openings pending for an Associate Engineer and
a Senior Civil Engineer. Due to department changes and project demand,an additional Associate
Engineer.is needed to tackle the backlog of utility capital projects while maintaining current
programs; grant funded projects; and other committed projects..
Historically the,City'has relied heavily on consultants to design projects`and manage
construction. Management has;found City staff can oftentimes perform in-housedesign and
construction management more cost effectivelythan consultants and therefore is reducing the use
of consultants whenever possible. While this approach has been very successfully applied to
projects like the &Street and Halsey sewer and_water line project last year, staff levels are not
adequate to deliver-,the projects'ddentified irr the current CIP.'Staff time gets prioritized to grant.
funded projects,.emergency projects, operational'and development issues, and maintaininggood
customer service. This.prevents:existing'staff from working on many`ofthe recycled.water, and
Agenda.Review:
City Attorney Finance Director City Manager
water/sewer 1ine,replacement projects which;should.beicompleted to reduce maintenance costs
and improve system efficiency.
DISCUSSION
The CIP Senior Civil Engineers have functioned primarily as project managers. While capable of
design, specification writing;,computeraided drafting, and construction management;the Senior
Civil Engineers are more cost effective if they have lower level professional assistance from an
Associate/Assistant Engineer,and Engineering Techniciansin order to,maximize project delivery
at a lower cost. For this reason staffis recommending an additional allocation of an Associate
Civil Engineer to bring the total allocations for this position to two.
The recommended action'represents a means to provide the City with the expertise necessary to
deliver more of the current and future capital program. This position will provide technical staff
assistance in various areas of civil engineering and once the+successful candidate has obtained
sufficient experience, will act as a projectleader for major utility projects.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The starting annual salary for an Associate Civil Engineer is $79,268.80, and the top step salary
is $96,345.60. The proposed new position will be predominantly funded directly through
currently budgeted capital projects. Approximately 10% of the salary will be funded out of the
waste water and water operating budgets to account for the level of operational assistance
expected. The actual funding will depend on the specific projects worked on as determined by
the timesheet accounting process. This action will not impactthe General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2
Attachment 1
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POSITION ALLOCATION FOR
ASSOCIATE CIVIL ENGINEER IN•THE`PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works and Utilities has inadequate
staffing to deliver the.budgeted Capital Improvement Program; and,
WHEREAS, the addition'of one Associate'Civil Engineer position will allow
staff to'deliver more Capital Projects infa cost effective manner; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager/Personnel. Officer has determined that certain
duties and responsibilities are appropriately allocated to the classification of Associate
Civil Engineer; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma does hereby authorize the allocation of one Associate Civil_Engineer position in
the Capital Improvements Division of the Public Works and Utilities Department
effective upon the adoptiomof this Resolution.
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