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Public Works Director Olson replied the existing Civil Engineer II has indicated he may be <br />interested in applying, but it is important to go external and see what kind of qualified candidates <br />they can get from outside. <br />Councilmember Dehen stated he is concerned about the timing of new hires. The City of St. <br />Paul has put a freeze on new hires. He is concerned that development is about as slow as it is <br />going to get and they do not know how long it will be. He is not convinced on this based upon <br />what he has read. He was not here during the formulation of the 2007 budget, but he thinks it is <br />a bad time to put on a new hire. He asked if this is something that can wait until there is an <br />upswing of development before they bring on new employees. He stated he sees this as a lull <br />time for inspections, and buildings are down. <br />Public Works Director Olson stated building inspections are down, but infrastructure <br />improvements are not down. There are a lot of improvements occuring, including Sunfish Lake <br />and Armstrong Boulevards. With the Ramsey Boulevard improvements last year the inspection <br />was done. in-house, which resulted in about $90,000 of consultant time that was not billed. This <br />position would provide the flexibility to accommodate the surge of development if it occurs, but <br />if it does not occur it could be used for improvement project designs, which is currently not <br />done. The Trail on CR 5 from Sunwood Drive to Alpine Drive was estimated to cost about <br />$14,000 in design and survey. This type of work could all be done in- house. The City has the <br />equipment to do it now and would like to utilize that equipment to the best of its abilities. <br />Chairperson Jeffrey indicated he is concerned. about the downturn in the market as well, but if <br />they can bring work in -house and not send out as much consultant time he could be in favor of <br />this. He realizes timing might be an issue, but if staff can do a lot of the inspections and design <br />work, this might pay for itself. <br />Public Works Director Olson stated one of the big discussion points in the recent past has been <br />the service that has been provided by The Tinklenberg Group. There are two things this position <br />could help in; one is to try to reduce some of that cost by being the contact for the Highway 10 <br />businesses. Jodi Ruehle spends a lot of time just on phone calls with questions, and she has been <br />listed as the contact from day one. With this position the City could take on some of that <br />responsibility. <br />Councilmember Dehen asked why that cannot be done now. <br />Public Works Director Olson replied staff has their plates pretty full. This is an important <br />position for freeing up some of that space. Another thing discussed to great extent when this <br />position was justified last year was the importance of a communication plan. In some people's <br />opinion that has been done a lot better than in the past, but in others not so much. He would like <br />to keep improving in that area. There are a lot of contacts and negotiations for easements and <br />access that could be done in -house with the appropriate manpower. Mr. Olson stated he would <br />really appreciate it if this position is approved. <br />Motion by Chairperson Jeffrey, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to recommend that the City <br />Council grant authorization to begin the recruitment process for an Assistant City Engineer. <br />-Personnel Committee / June 12, 2007 <br />Page 4 of 5 <br />