Agenda - Council - 02/25/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 7. 4. Meeting Date: 02/25/2014 By: Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Information Title Authorization to Hire a Utilities Maintenance Worker Purpose/Background: 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. Notification: 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. Observations/Alternatives: