HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2005-06-13 #X AGENDA REPORT
DATE: June 13, 2005
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU: John B. Bahorski, City Manager
FROM: Mark K. Vukojevic, P.E., Director of Public Works / City Engineer
SUBJECT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - WATER AND SEWER
DIVISION REORGANIZATION
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
The proposed City Council action will authorize a reorganization of Public Works staffing in
Water and Sewer Divisions resulting in (1) an upgrade of one Maintenance Worker II position to
Senior Water Operator, (2) an upgrade of one Maintenance Worker II position to Water
Operator, (3) an additional Public Works Supervisor position (leaving the Lead Maintenance
Worker classification vacant) and (4) and additional Maintenance Worker I position.
BACKGROUND:
As Council is aware, the City's workforce has significantly downsized from the early 90's either
through, attrition or layoff. Much of the Director's efforts are spent on operational aspects of the
Department. During the adoption of the FY02 /03 & 03/04 Budget, Council imposed a citywide
hiring freeze and required that full -time vacancies could only be filled with Council approval.
Several positions within the Department are required to maintain specific licenses and
certifications as required by the State. In 2002, the Public Works Department had 33 Full Time
equivalent employees and now has 24 Full Time equivalent employees in 2005 to operate,
improve, and maintain the City's water, sewer, storm drain, street, signal, park, facility, fleet,
landscape, beach, pier, and water quality infrastructure. A close review of the Public Works
Department staffing level was conducted. Several items were considered such as: the City's
aging infrastructure and its needs, Master Plan recommendations, the Department's aggressive
Capital Improvement Program, the reality of an increased regulatory environment by the State,
upcoming retirements in the next few years, the value of long time employees, and the City's
goals to improve water quality.
The Water Division delivers safe and reliable drinking water to the community and maintains
health and safety requirements of the Federal and State Government. There are only three
employees who hold positions /titles requiring certifications for the City's water system. State
regulations mandate that only individuals with certain licenses from the state make decisions
regarding a variety of water operational activities, including adjusting the on -site chlorine
generation disinfection system of the public water supply pumped from the groundwater wells,
AGENDAITEM®
backflow /cross contamination prevention program, drinking water testing and sampling, the
installation and repair of water mains, and stand -by emergency response duties for after hours
operational emergencies. It is recommended that one Maintenance Worker position be upgraded
to a Senior Water Operator position and one Maintenance Worker position be upgraded to a
Water Operator position. These new positions will be filled by promotional recruitments and
there would be no net employee gain in this Division. This would result in five positions which
will require water certifications.
The Sewer Division manages all aspects of the sewer and wastewater activities within the City.
There are only two employees who hold positions /titles requiring certification for the City's
sewer system. Permit regulations such as the Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR's) place
both civil and criminal penalties for elected officials for failure to properly fund and manage
aspects of the sewer /wastewater utility division. Improperly managed and funded systems lead to
sewer spills and consequently ocean water pollution/beach closures. It is recommended that an
additional Public Works Supervisor position be authorized who will supervise the maintenance
activities for the City's streets, sewer, storm drain and beach infrastructure. The new positions
will be filled by promotional recruitment and the Lead Maintenance Worker position will remain
vacant. In addition, it is recommended that an additional Maintenance Worker position be
authorized which will be split between these four areas. Per the MOU, this position will be
recruited at the Maintenance Worker I level.
This reorganization is beneficial because it ensures that public health and safety regulatory
requirements are met, it conforms to the City's Water and Sewer Master Plan, ensures stability
for utility operations, promotes additional responsibility, opportunity and longevity and increases
the amount of utility operators for on -call emergency response. As part of the reorganization, it
is required that the fund allocation for some positions be re- allocated to reflect more accurately
current work duties. However, there is only a slight General Fund increase. The remaining
increase can be allocated within the existing Sewer and Water Enterprise Funds.
Below is a summary of the proposed maintenance staffing changes:
Existing Water Division Positions: Proposed Water Division Positions:
Chief Water Operator Chief Water Operator
Senior Water Operator 2 Senior Water Operators
Water Operator 2 Water Operators
4 Maintenance Worker II 2 Maintenance Worker II
Existing Sewer Division Positions: Proposed Sewer Division Positions:
Lead Maintenance Worker Public Works Supervisor (sewer, street, beach, storm drain)
Maintenance Worker II Maintenance Worker II & Maintenance Worker I
FISCAL IMPACT:
The approximate net cost of adding the two additional Water Division positions (Senior Water
Operator and Water Operator) is $17,000 per fiscal year and would be funded by the Water
Enterprise Fund. The approximate net cost of adding the additional Public Works Supervisor
position and one Maintenance Worker position is $65,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Fund and
$1,400 from the General Fund. After the recruitment is completed, the Finance Department will
bring back a budget amendment to officially allocate the funds for the positions.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that City Council authorize a reorganization of Public Works staffing in
Water and Sewer Divisions resulting ir, (1) upgrade of one Maintenance Worker II position to
Senior Water Operator, (2) an upgrade of one Maintenance Worker II position to Water
Operator, (3) an additional Public Works Supervisor position (leaving the Lead Maintenance
Worker classification vacant) and (4) and additional Maintenance Worker I position.
Prepared By:
_
Mark K. Vukojevic, P.E.
Director of Public Works /City Engineer
NOTED ' ►'! APPRP;
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Jo ' . Bahorski
C `� anager