03-24-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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PROPOSED STRUCTURE: Staff completed an extensive analysis of other departments and there are nearly as many organizational structures as there are cities. Many cities similar in size and population to Little Canada have a Public Works Director, a Public Works Superintendent, and several full-time employees. Larger communities often have a Deputy or Assistant Public Works Director. Little Canada has always maintained a lean staffing model, and the addition of a Superintendent or Assistant Public Works Director position seems unnecessary with the limited number of full-time public works employees. After evaluating Little Canada’s staffing model, staff believes the most effective way to ensure that all facets of public works receive the appropriate level of focus is to replace the current vacant Maintenance I position with a supervisor-level position. Staff recommends reorganizing the Public Works Department to include the following supervisor positions; Streets/Fleet Supervisor, Utilities Supervisor, and Parks Supervisor. Each of these positions would remain very hands-on and require those employees to be in the field a significant percentage of time. This would also enable the Public Works Director to concentrate more on administrative duties as many tasks he currently oversees would no longer be necessary. The Public Works Director will continue to oversee both the Streets/Fleet Supervisor and Utilities Supervisor, and the Parks & Recreation/Community Services Manager will oversee the Parks Supervisor. Streets/Fleet Supervisor: The primary duties of this position are currently the responsibility of the Public Works Supervisor. This position would ease the burden on the current Public Works Supervisor, who currently has to bounce from streets to water to sewer to fleet on a regular basis. This would allow him to focus on street and fleet maintenance, which he excels in. While the current Public Works Supervisor is also very proficient in the fields of water and sewer maintenance, these areas are moving rapidly toward newer technologies and require more advanced computer skills. The City of Little Canada’s storm water system would also be monitored and managed by the Streets/Fleet Supervisor. Utility Supervisor: The Utility Supervisor position would have the primary responsibility of overseeing the City’s water and wastewater system including maintenance, monitoring, and repairs. Staff has also made significant advancement in GIS mapping in recent years, and the proposed Utility Supervisor position will place a significant focus on the utilization of GIS and other technology. Parks Supervisor: The Parks Supervisor position would continue to have the primary responsibility of overseeing the City’s parks, sports and recreational facilities, and public trail system. This position will work closely with Parks & Recreation/Community Services Manager to meet the needs of the public and our many contracted teams and user groups. The Parks Supervisor also manages several seasonal and part-time employees during the summer and throughout the year. Fleet and equipment needs will be coordinated in conjunction with the Streets/Fleet Supervisor and the Public Works Director. FISCAL IMPACT: The impact to the City of Little Canada to replace the current Maintenance I position with the proposed Utility Supervisor position would be an increase of $5,574 annually based on the 2021 wage schedule. This is based on the highest hourly wage available in each position classification. The fiscal impact would be less if the Utility Supervisor position is hired at steps 1-4 of the current wage schedule. The Maintenance I position is included in the 2021 budget, and there are sufficient funds in the operating budget for this position due to salary savings.