Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/03/2006

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Ramsey Public Works/Fire Recommendations March 2, 2006 Page 1 City of Ramsey, Minnesota Public Works/Fire Department Reorganization Introduction: Ramsey's City Administrator recently asked Springsted Incorporated to assist in evaluating a potential restructuring of the city's Public Works and Fire Departments. Springsted is currently engaged with the City in a study to determine its future structure and staffing as Ramsey enters a period of rapid growth and development. That study is nearing completion, and the recommendations in this report draw on the baseline data and anticipated trends emerging from that work. Springsted consultants Craig Rapp and Bill Joynes spoke with the affected personnel and have been involved in numerous conversations with the City's administration regarding the City's desired outcome. Background For a number of years, the City has had a department head position responsible for Public Works, Engineering and the Fire Department. There currently exists a Director of Engineering who reports to the Public Works Director. This structure is unique in the Metropolitan area, though it has worked well for the City of Ramsey. This is due in large part to the competence of the individuals involved, the working relationship between them, and the size and operating environment Ramsey currently enjoys. Springsted understands that when the Director of Public Works/Fire accepted the dual position, it was understood that the arrangement would be for a limited period of time. He has stated that his long-term interests lie in the fire service. The Director of Engineering, at the time of hire, was told that he would progress into the Public Works Director position as experience, performance and workload allowed. Given the growth environment Ramsey currently finds itself in, its need for experienced administrators and the value it places on its existing personnel, the following organizational structure has been proposed. Springsted has reviewed the proposed structure and believes it to be appropriate, given the data gathered in the larger study and the City's desire to maintain current personnel. Proposed Structure The major components of the recommended structure are as follows: 1. The current Public Works/Fire Director would be made the full-time Fire Chief, with one year's transitional oversight of Public Works operations. During this year, the Chief would assume the responsibility of mentoring someone to fill the future position of Public Works .Superintendent. 2. The current Director of Engineering would assume the Public Works Director position, with direct responsibility, for the Engineering and Public Works operations. 3. The City would move to hire a senior engineer in the next year.