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AUTHORIZE ADDITION OF NEW PLANT MAINTENANCE WORKER POSITIONS TO THE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES DEPARTMENT - MCLEOD LAKE CLEANUP PROGRAM
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to authorize three (3) new represented Plant Maintenance Worker positions for the Municipal Utilities Department McLeod Lake Cleanup Program.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
If approved, this action will authorize the addition of three (3) Plant Maintenance Worker positions to the Municipal Utilities Department (MUD). The new positions will act as the lead support for the McLeod Lake Cleanup program, including the operation of the multi-purpose workboat to perform in-waterway trash removal and maintenance at McLeod Lake, the bubbler system, and DeCarli Plaza fountain. The new McLeod Lake Cleanup Program will be conducted by MUD maintenance staff on a proactive and as-needed basis. With the multi-purpose workboat’s delivery in May 2023, the program goal will be to keep trash, debris and hyacinth accumulation at a minimum beginning this summer to improve the overall quality of McLeod Lake.
DISCUSSION
Background
Over the past several years, McLeod Lake water quality has diminished, particularly during the summer months, due to invasive water hyacinth, trash, debris, and Harmful Algal Blooms or HABs. As a result, the City has often contracted for temporary services to help clean up McLeod Lake.
In January 2020, the MUD was tasked to organize and contract with a local company to clean up McLeod Lake on a regular schedule. Additional assessment of the cleanup found these efforts were insufficient and cost prohibitive due to the time needed to clean up the large volume of trash and debris in the waterway.
In the fall of 2022, by Resolution 2022-09-13-1503, the City Council authorized the purchase of a properly equipped multi-purpose workboat to perform in-waterway trash removal and maintenance at McLeod Lake. To increase the frequency of trash removal and improve conditions in the waterway, the new McLeod Lake Cleanup program will be conducted by MUD maintenance staff on a proactive and as-needed basis. The goal will be to keep trash, debris, and hyacinth accumulation at a minimum and improve the overall quality of McLeod Lake and the Stockton waterfront. The purchase and regular operation of the trash skimmer boat at McLeod Lake under this program will also provide a variety of water quality, trash amendment compliance, water conservation, and education opportunities/outreach for MUD, the City, local schools, organizations, and members of the public.
Present Situation
The new McLeod Lake Cleanup program will require the addition of three (3) new represented Plant Maintenance Worker positions to the Maintenance Division to adequately operate and maintain the multi-purpose workboat and meet other requirements of the program. The daily operation of the multi-purpose workboat for the McCleod Lake Cleanup program is expected to add approximately 1,000 workload hours annually. Without the addition of three (3) new Plant Maintenance Workers, the Maintenance Division’s additional staff workload would significantly reduce their responsiveness for corrective and emergency maintenance activities and to service the five (5) new sanitary sewer and stormwater pump stations recently added to the City’s system.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The salary and benefit costs for three (3) additional Plant Maintenance Workers is expected to be approximately $289,000 annually. The addition of these positions is expected to save approximately $150,000 annually by reducing the City’s reliance on existing contracted trash removal services. The purchase and regular operation of the trash skimmer boat at McLeod Lake under this program will provide a variety of water quality, trash amendment compliance, water conservation, and education opportunities & outreach for MUD, the City, local schools, organizations, and members of the public.
Sufficient funds are available in the Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Pump Stations employee services accounts. The salary costs will be allocated at 33.33 percent to each of the utility funds. Additional program and staffing costs will be reviewed during the annual budget process. MUD will also pursue additional sources of long-term funding for the program including State and Federal grants and possible local sponsorship.
There is no impact to the General Fund, or any other unrestricted funds, from this action.