Agenda - Council - 08/27/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

The Engineering Technician III would be primarily involved with: • Preparing construction plans, specifications and engineer's estimates • Preparing as -built plans • Providing primary and/or back-up construction inspection • Providing primary and/or back-up topsoil inspections • Providing primary and/or back-up stormwater infrastructure inspections for compliance with the city's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) • Providing primary and/or back-up grading inspections (if adopted) The rationale for hiring this position is described in the attached Evaluation Criteria for Vacant and New Positions form, along with a draft job description. Once the recruitment is complete, staff will bring a case forward asking for authorization to hire. Notification: Observations/Alternatives: Case 2 of 4: Alternatives are not applicable in this case.. Case 3 of 4: Option #1: Hire Mr. Rick Jarson as the City's new Building Official and to continue limited services with the Saint Francis Chief Building Official. The pros on this option include having a non -contracted full-time Building Official on staff, providing the City and staff with the greatest flexibility in meeting customer' needs, and having a trained back-up Building Official to cover leaves, etc. The cons are that the City would be adding to its fixed staff costs, however, as the May presentation on this topic indicated, the activity level for now and the foreseeable future, make this the most practical and cost-effective option. Option #2: Hire Mr. Rick Jarson as the City's new Building Official and discontinue limited services with the Saint Francis Chief Building Official. The pros to this option are having a non -contracted full-time Building Official on staff. The cons would include less flexibility in meeting customers' needs and a lack of a trained back-up Building Official. Inspectron could also be used as a back-up, but at a higher price than utilizing St. Francis. Option #3: Hire Mr. Rick Jarson as the City's new Building Official and direct staff based on discussion. Case 4 of 4: Option #1: Authorize staff to begin a recruitment for an Engineering Technician III based on the available funding as described below. The pros to this option include: 1) supporting the City's financial well-being by providing in-house engineering services, 2) supporting the strategic initiative "Enhancing the State, County and City's transportation system,"( i.e. if this position is not filled, the city will further delay the development and implementation of a long-term road maintenance plan and policy), 3) providing additional in-house resources to support the Engineering Division's work, 4) providing back-up when the Engineering Tech IV or Engineering Tech II are out of the office. The cons to this option include recruitment costs, which are minimal; and training costs. Option #2: Direct staff to contract this function out. Staff feels that the pros to this option are limited to reduced hiring costs and reduced training costs. The cons to this option include less control over the process and work -product, possible high turnover, possible loss of knowledge if/when contractor leaves, and and a higher annual cost --estimated at $100,000 to $140,000. Option #3: Direct staff to act based on discussion. Recommendation: