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MEMO TO: <br />FROM: <br />SUBJECT: <br />DATE: <br /> <br />Pat Klaers, City Administrator, City of Elk River <br />Steve Gatlin, P.E., Vice President, MSA ~~/~, <br />City Versus Consultant Engineering Servicer <br />March 29, 19~4'~'') <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Terry Maurer has asked that I provide you some information regarding my perspective on <br />whether or not it is appropriate for Elk River to consider hiring a city engineer or <br />establishing an engineering department of some sort. For background information, let me <br />introduce myself briefly. Until January 1994, I was a city engineer employed by two <br />suburban Twin Cities communities since 1978. Prior to that, I was an assistant city <br />engineer/citY planner. I have had approximately 20 years municipal engineering experience. <br />I am very familiar with the process and economics of establishing a city engineering <br />department and analyzing whether or not the engineering services of a city staff are more <br />economical than a consultant. For your information, I have enclosed a brief biographical <br />sketch. Following review of my information, I would be happy to meet with you in person <br />or discuss the issue further by telephone. Please let me know if you need more assistance. <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />Based on my experience and background, I would summarize the issue of city engineer <br />versus consulting engineering services for communities as follows: <br /> <br />When a citY reaches a population of 15,000 to 20,000, for proper municipal services <br />it is necessary for a city to have a full-time staff city engineer. <br /> <br />Beyond the staff city engineer, the level of engineering services will depend on the <br />level of service required to be provided by the city in support of the city engineer. <br /> <br />230/000-3001 .mar <br /> <br /> <br />