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;~-,' Sprincjsted <br /> <br />Spdngsted Incorporated <br />380 Jackson Street, Suite 300 <br />Saint Paul, MN 55101-2887 <br /> <br />Te1:651-223-3000 <br />Fax:651-223-3002 <br />v~'~w.spdngsted.com <br /> <br /> City of Ramsey, Minnesota <br /> <br />Public Works/Fire Department Reorganization <br /> <br />Introduction: <br /> <br />Ramsey's City Administrator recently asked Springsted Incorporated to assist in evaluating a potential <br />restructuring of the City's Public Works and Fire Departments. Springsted is currently engaged with the <br />City in a study to determine its future structure and staffing as Ramsey enters a period of rapid growth <br />and development. That study is nearing completion, and the recommendations in this report draw on the <br />baseline data and anticipated trends emerging from that work. Springsted consultants Craig Rapp and Bill <br />Joynes spoke with the affected personnel and have been involved in numerous conversations with the <br />City's administration regarding the anticipated separation of Public Works and Fire. <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />For a number of years, the City has had a department head position responsible for Public Works, <br />Engineering and the Fire Department. There currently exists a Director of Engineering (Assistant Public <br />Works Director/Principal City Engineer) who reports to the Public Works Director. This structure is <br />unique in the Metropolitan area, though it has worked well for the City of Ramsey. This is due in large <br />part to the competence of the individuals involved, the working relationship between them, and the size <br />and operating environment Ramsey currently enjoys. Springsted understands that when the Director of <br />Public Works/Fire accepted the dual position, it was understood that the arrangement would be for a <br />limited period of time. He has stated that his long-term interests lie in the fire service. The Director of <br />Engineering, at the time of hire, was told that he would progress into the Public Works Director position <br />as experience, performance and workload allowed. <br /> <br />Given the growth environment Ramsey currently finds itself in, its need for experienced administrators <br />and the value it places on its existing personnel, the following organizational structure has been <br />proposed. Springsted has reviewed the proposed structure and believes it to be appropriate, given the data <br />gathered in the larger study and the City's desire to maintain current personnel. <br /> <br />Proposed Structure <br /> <br />The major components of the recommended structure are as follows: <br /> <br /> 1. The current Public Works Director/Fire Chief would be made the full-time Fire Chief, with one <br /> year's transitional oversight of Pubtic Works operations. During this year, the Fire Chief would <br /> assume the responsibility of mentoring someone to fill the future position of Public Works <br /> Superintendent. <br /> <br /> 2. The current Director of Engineering would assume the Public Works Director position, with <br /> direct responsibility for Engineering and Public Works operations. <br /> <br /> 3. The City would move to hire a senior engineer in the next year. <br /> <br />Public Sector Advisors <br /> <br /> <br />