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<br />WS – Item 5 <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item No. 5 <br /> <br /> <br />Date: November 7, 2022 <br /> <br />To: City Council <br /> <br />From: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director <br /> <br />Re: Public Services Department Mechanic Position <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br />The Public Services Division is seeking City Council approval to hire a second Mechanic <br />in our Fleet Department. <br />After 22 years of service, Jim Blackbird has retired and created a large void in servicing <br />our fleet within the City. Blackbird served in the role of Maintenance Worker/Mechanic <br />for the City. <br />Staff recommends not relying on our only one-full time Mechanic, Brett Olander. With <br />over 50 vehicles in service, it’s imperative that the vacancy is filled quickly for the <br />following reasons: <br />• The vacancy will likely create backups that will affect all departments, but <br />especially Public Works and Public Safety. <br />• When the Mechanic is on vacation or in need of a sick day the City will have no <br />back-up. <br />• It is vital to have more than one mechanic available during snow plowing <br />operations to fix broken down plows, replace broken blades, etc. <br />• Often Public Safety vehicles need quick turn-around times to get vehicles back in <br />service for the safety of our community. <br />• Having just one Mechanic would require sending vehicles to outside area <br />mechanic shops. <br />• Outsourcing mechanical work would cost the City significantly more than <br />performing the work in-house. Area mechanic shops charge hourly rates at $110 - <br />$130 per hour and have significant mark-up on supplies. <br />• Having two employees dropping off and picking up vehicles creates inefficiencies <br />within the Public Works department. <br />• Timely mechanical repairs, especially evenings and weekends, would also be an <br />issue, especially if there is already a backlog at local mechanic shops. <br />