02-12-2025 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council FROM: Bill Dircks, Public Works Director DATE: February 12, 2025 RE: Public Works Staffing Structure BACKGROUND: There are currently four active employees in the Public Works Department which includes the Streets and Fleet Supervisor, two PW Maintenance I employees, and an Apprentice. There are also two full-time equivalent (FTE) employees who are currently not working due to injuries and are on long-term disability. The Public Works department has been operating shorthanded for over 2.5 years following a non-work-related injury suffered by the Utility Supervisor. The injury to the Utilities Supervisor resulted in a permanent disability, and he will be better served in a less strenuous position. For this reason, staff is recommending the creation of a new position to address an identified need in the City of Little Canada. The new position would be a Public Works Supervisor focusing on Buildings and Stormwater management. This position will address municipal building maintenance and capital improvement projects that have traditionally had no point person. Some recent projects have been delayed due to the lack of time available for the Public Works Director, and having an employee to take ownership of these projects from start to finish is a core part of the position. The number of hours spent on municipal building maintenance and CIP projects will vary depending on the number and scope of projects. Another important area that needs additional staff time and attention is stormwater management. The City of Little Canada has a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit issued by the MPCA. There are a number of requirements that are part of the permit including infrastructure inspections, construction inspections for projects under an acre in size, training, education, and reporting. Larger cities have departments that work on the MS4 permit and other stormwater projects. This position would manage the MS4 permit and assist with scheduling storm sewer maintenance and projects. The position will also manage the work order management software, set up preventative maintenance work orders, and run reports as needed. The work order software has become an important tool for the department and somebody managing it more closely should allow the department to become even more effective and efficient when using it. The position will continue to perform any maintenance needed in other departments as he is available. It is anticipated that 10-20 hours a week will be dedicated to maintenance operations such as plowing, patching, and hydrant flushing.