#28 - Public Works Operational Assessment

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT DATE: 01/07/2025 Regular TO: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Public Works Operational Assessment FROM: Nicole Miller, City Administrator REVIEWED BY: Marty Powers, Public Works Director BACKGROUND: The Public Works Department is a vital component of the city’s infrastructure, responsible for maintaining roads, sewer, water, stormwater as well as tree and park maintenance. Over the last five plus years the city has experienced growth in the form of additional miles of roads, sewer pipe, water pipe, fire hydrants, parks, As part of the 2025 administration contract services budget, staff has planned for a department assessment for our Public Works Department. The purpose of this assessment is to work in partnership with the department to align the with best practices, efficient operations, use of technology, and to match the department size with our growing community and service level expectations. We have broken down the scope of work and outcomes into more detail which are attached to this report. Staff reached out to multiple agencies and received back two proposals. Baker Tilly and Raftelis both submitted their proposals and staff met with both agencies. Ultimately it was determined that Baker Tilly’s project team didn’t have the expertise and experience in the Public Works field that we were looking for to complete the project. The project team at Raftelis does have the expertise and experience to conduct the assessment. The City Administrator and Public Works Director conducted multiple meetings with Raftelis and is recommending selecting them to conduct the operational assessment. The professional services agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney. ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Would the City Council like to hire Raftelis to conduct an operational assessment for the Public Works Department and authorize the City Administrator to enter into a professional services agreement for above services? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: The last few months, staff researched firms that offered this service and has the subject matter expertise required to partner with the department to produce a documented well thought out plan with recommendations for improving the department now and in the future. Staff considered experience and expertise, methodology, cost, timeline and references when making a recommendation. On the next page is a summary of the evaluation of each proposal.