5.13. SR 04-12-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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£tq[/'Report-Or£ani~atio,al Structure Apffll2, 2004 Page 3 The establishment of a public works director and City Engineering department xvould be a benefit to other city departments that coordinate activities xvith the cit3T engineer, to the orderly development of the city, and to many or our citizens. The benefits xvould include improved customer sen, ice. An additional benefit for me is that I would have one employee reporting to me instead of three; the consulting engineer (not technically a ciD, employee), the street superintendent, and the wastexvater treaunent chief operator. Also, the street supe~wisor and the xvastewater treatment chief operator xvould benefit from the hiring of a public xvorks director. They xvould be receiving direct supervision from someone xvho has more expertise than me in their xvork areas. The timing for thc establishment of a City Engineering department and public xvorks director position is dependent upon available funds and the actual cost to the city'. It is likely that monies for this position and department will not be available for a fexv years. Community Development Director The most common feedback ~vhich I reccivcd xvas that the city needed to consolidate a number of current departments within a Cormnunity Development department and underneath a community development director. This director position would supervise planning/code enforcement, building/environmental and economic development activities. Thc estabhshment of a community development director position would reduce the number of direct reports to me from three to one. The estabhshmenr of this position would provide for better communication and coordination of our development activities and this xvould result in better customer service. The community' development department would have to coordinate activities with other departments, especially the city engineer, the finance director, and thc parks and recreation director. With the community development position, the City Council xvill have a choicc of hiring a ncxv employee for this position or promoting internally xvith the community development director having a dual responsibility until additional staff can be afforded. If hired from the outside, this position would cost the city about $100,000-110,000 in xvages and benefits. If promoted from xvithin, this position ~vould cost thc ciD, the equivalent of a mid-level position. The hiring of a community development director could happen at any time if promoted internally. If the position is filled from the outside, then the position competes for funding with other requested ciD' positions. Public Safety Director It is not recommended that the city establish and hire a public safety director. The cost for this position does not justify it being established. The cost in wages and benefits would cxcccd $110,000. The direct reports to me would only be reduced by one. It is also questionable if this position would hnprove services being offered to the pubhc. The current coordination of activities and communication between these t~vo department heads is excellent (especially noxv since they are officed in the same building). A number of communities have estabhshed this position, and over time, gone axvay from it as it was not necessary and/or cost effective. Administration and Finance This "General Governmcnt" area includes four department heads: the finance director, prosecuting attorney, hquor storc manager, and the ciD; clerk. There is a ~vide range of activities and responsibilities remaining xvithin the Administration and Finance areas. Many cities have an assistant city administrator position that also functions as the S:~C(mncil~l)at~2OO4~organizational regret.doc