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Public Works /Engineering Organizational Review <br />May 29, 2012 <br />Updated May 31, 2012 <br />Scenario A: Separating Engineering from Public Works Operations <br />Pros: <br />1) Allows a newly hired City Engineer to focus specifically on the Engineering Division. <br />2) Allows engineering to be more focused on new projects /development <br />3) Allows public works operations to be more focused on the day -to -day "routine" <br />maintenance functions <br />4) Increased accountability and ownership on Public Works (PW) side. <br />5) Increased employee development on the Public Works side and greater sharing of <br />knowledge; reduces risk of talent loss in the event of a resignation. <br />6) Engineering and PW Operations would function more as a self- managed team with Tim <br />Himmer serving as the primary team -lead for Department Head meetings. <br />7) Less layers of management on both sides; creating an environment for more innovation <br />and employee empowerment. <br />8) Budget savings would be possible if activity was low. <br />Cons: <br />1) Potential for lack of oversight; who was /is responsible for a given task. <br />2) Lack of overall public works expertise overseeing the entire process. <br />3) Need for structured communication between Engineering and Public Works. <br />4) More potential "team" conflicts that bubble to the top. Team members may need <br />additional training on team conflict resolution. <br />5) Additional workload for others, with potential for time delays, decreased proactive <br />work <br />(especially on lower priorities), missed opportunities for grants, special awards, etc. <br />6) Increased potential for errors and /or omissions. <br />7) Budget savings may be non - existent if consultant labor had to be used, especially with <br />road reconstruction effort pending. <br />8) It is recommended that an additional technical (drafts person /Inspector) be hired. <br />