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Special City Council Meeting Thursday, May 22,2014 Page 3 Public Works Director Duane Schwartz Mr. Schwartz reviewed the specifics of his department, advising that the proposed 2015 budget was fairly status quo, and highlighted those items outside normal in- flationary increases for staff and personnel, as well as contractual services and supplies. Mr. Schwartz reviewed the ten budget areas, including the four enter- prise funds, and divisions in the Department, with 32 FTE (full-time equivalent) employees, with an approved 2014 budget for capital and utility functions of $19,494,620. Mr. Schwartz reviewed several budget priorities he would like implemented in 2015 as noted: a right-of-way technician that would be fee-supported, and an ad- ditional customer service position that would be utility supported. Mr. Schwartz also noted potential increases in the 2015 snow and ice control program and con- tractual costs. Right-of-Way Technician Mr. Schwartz noted that this position would provide utility customer support and summarized a general job description for the position, with current duties shared by existing staff, increasing their workload and not providing sufficient time to address the situation of having more crowded rights-of-way throughout the com- munity. Mr. Schwartz advised that this situation caused mistakes or omissions, allowing for private utilities to be constructed over city-owned utilities, increasing the City's costs and liability. Mr. Schwartz recommended consolidating those functions to provide efficiencies, and eliminate the current practice of up to three different people providing those services and/or visiting a development site, while avoiding liability and conflicts that are currently evident. Mr. Schwartz proposed a fee-supported position for regulatory functions increas- ingly mandated over time. Mr. Schwartz further noted that the City's Engineering and Public Works staff was providing more expanded services to the City of Fal- con Heights, with 2013 billings to that City at $145,000, and currently funding one engineering position from those fees. Mr. Schwartz advised that rights-of- way permits, plan reviews and oversight for private development (e.g. erosion in- spections) continued to increase. Mr. Schwartz opined that development and permit fees would be adequate to suf- ficiently fund and accommodate the position at this point in the fee structure. Customer Service Position—Utility Supported Mr. Schwartz advised that two employees currently supported the entire depart- ment for phones, data entry, and other administrative functions. With the imple- mentation of the asset management program over the last few years, and attempts to improve communication and customer service opportunities, Mr. Schwartz ad- vised that interruptions of current staff to field phone calls and provide that cus- tomer service, while attempting to perform their basic functions, was difficult to