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34 street projects as compared to projects sent out to consultants for engineering services. Utility 35 project engineering costs have consistently been under 12% of project cost. 36 Another area of additional need for engineering services is in the implementation of the Parks 37 Master Plan. It is anticipated the trail projects will be delivered with staff engineering services. 38 Our staff will also support the Park and Recreation Department with some site engineering, 39 storm water engineering and environmental and natural resource assistance. This will be a 40 significant additional workload for the next four years for the Engineering Division. 41 We are asking the City Council approve moving the funding source for our staff engineer that 42 has been providing service to Arden Hills to our three utility funds rather than the revenues from 43 Arden Hills services. The funding for an additional staff engineer has been included in the 44 approved utility budgets for the past two budget cycles. This is an opportune time to seamlessly 45 roll an existing staff member into a new role which she has been providing the city on a part time 46 basis. 47 POLICY OBJECTIVE 48 It is policy to cooperate and partner with other agencies when feasible to be more efficient, cost 49 effective and share technology that may otherwise not be possible or constrained for other 5o reasons. These partnerships need continuous monitoring to ensure they continue to meet the 51 party's needs. Due to a change in circumstances Arden Hills has requested to eliminate the need 52 for our staff engineer services. 53 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 54 We are recommending a shift of funding for the current staff Civil Engineer from joint powers 55 revenues to the utility enterprise funds. The annual cost for this position currently is $104,000. 56 The cost to city budgets for 2012 would be half of that figure. This shift will allow the majority 57 of the increased engineering services workload for the utility CIP to be completed at a lower cost 58 than if outsourced to consultant firms. The city typically only relies on consulting engineering 59 firms for specialty services such as traffic engineering or pumping facility design. 60 STAFF RECOMMENDATION 61 Staff recommends authorization of a staff engineer in the Public Works Department funded by 62 the three utility enterprise funds. This would effectively shift the funding source for the current 63 staff engineer from JPA revenues to the utilities annual budget effective July 1, 2012. 64 REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION 65 Motion authorizing a staff engineer position in the Public Works Department with funding from 66 the Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Sewer Funds beginning July 1, 2012. 67 Prepared by: Duane Schwartz Attachments: A: Page 2 of 2