Authorization to Hire a Utilities Maintenance Worker

The Purpose of this case is to request authorization to hire Mr. Matt Graf as a Utilities Maintenance Worker.

A needs analysis was conducted for this position and, based on results of that analysis, staff recommends that a full-time Utilities Maintenance Worker be hired.  This position would be responsible for the monitoring and maintaining the city’s drinking water supply and the sanitary sewer system; both are core public health services. This position would also be part of our snow removal operation and would provide disaster assistance as needed.This position is key in achieving the Strategic Imperative IV “An Effective Organization” and is directly responsible for maintaining the water and sewer infrastructure. Under the Public Works Department Plan for 2013-2015 our responsibility to our external customers (residents and business owners) is to provide efficient and effective delivery of basic public services, such as safe and well maintained roads, clean drinking water, and functioning storm water and sanitary sewer systems. This position would help us achieve all of those requirements. 

In accordance with City policy, an internal recruitment was conducted, and the City received five applications.  Four applicants were interviewed, and one candidate was advanced through the process. The City has made a contingent job offer to Mr. Matt Graf. This offer was contingent upon City Council approval, as well as successfully passing the city's background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment physical & drug screen. Mr. Graf has successfully passed all of the requirements and is now recommended for approval to the City Council.

The Evaluation Criteria for Vacant and New Positions is attached.  

Overview of the Utilities Division
As of today, the Utility Division consists of a staff of three. During the summer the work load is supplemented with two seasonal workers. Though this helps relieve some of the work load on simpler tasks, utility maintenance workers must be licensed through the State of Minnesota to operate our water system.The Utility Division is responsible for daily checks on four pump houses to record chemical feed levels and fill out daily reports for the Minnesota Department of Health.They also collect samples for lead and copper, bacteria, volatile organics, radon, and numerous other substances all mandated by the State Health Department. The following is just a quick list of some of the other responsibilities of the Utility Division: Maintenance of 4 pump houses, 3 water towers, 7 lift stations, 2 emergency generators, 8 city wells, approximately 1200 hydrants, quarterly water meter readings, Gopher State One Call locate response (1300 locate requests in 2013 estimated), water main flushing (full crew, plus seasonal workers, 6 weeks annually), inspect all new residential water and sewer hook ups, clean 1/3 of our sanitary sewer system annually, Emergency response to sanitary sewer problems, clean storm sewer pipes and structures, and other related work as requested by the PW superintendent.

Option #1:   Hiring a fulltime Utilities Maintenance Worker.   Staff recommends hiring a fulltime Utilities Maintenance Worker to meet the public service needs of the City and to meet the goals of the strategic plan as it relates to this Position.  

Option #2   Not hiring a fulltime Utilities Maintenance Worker:  Staff does not recommend this option due to likely repercussions such as:   State required reporting turned in late, slow response to locate requests, slower response to sewer and water inspections on new constructions, water meter reading and repairs delayed, maintenance intervals on infrastructure prolonged or missed, stress on existing employees because they can’t get everything done in a timely matter.

The 2014 funding for this position is well within the 2014 budget; estimated to be $43,330 based on a March 1, 2014 start date.   The funding for this Utilities position is part of the the Water/Utilitiy Fund. 

Authorize staff to move ahead with option #1 above: hiring Mr. Matt Graf as a Utilities Maintenance Worker, effective on or near March 1, 2014, at $19.53 per hour which is step 1 of the 2014 wage scale.

Motion to approve resolution #14-02-041, to hire Mr. Matt Graf as  a Utilities Maintenance Worker, effective on or near March 1, 2014, at $19.53 per hour which is step 1 of the 2014 wage scale.