5.5. SR 10-25-1999
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Item:#5.5.
MEMORANDUM
River
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM:
or
DATE:
SUBJECT: Management of the Wastewater
Treatment System
It has been over a month now since Darrell Mack left the city and Gary Leirmoe has
been in charge of the Wastewater Treatment System. It is now time to make some
decisions on the future management of this operation.
.
Currently, I don't believe the city needs to hire a Wastewater Treatment System
(WWTS) Superintendent. The city has Gary Leirmoe as the WWTS Lead Operator
and he can manage the system under the direct supervision of City Engineer Terry
Maurer. Terry and his engineering firm (Howard R. Green) will be able to provide
advice and supervision related to the ongoing operation and management of the
WWTS, while Finance Director Lori Johnson will be able to provide assistance on
finance/budgeting issues and on personnel issues. Gary will have to work with Lori
on purchases and complying with all state laws regarding the selection of vendors,
and dealing with day-to-day financial issues. Over the past month, I have seen
Gary work much more with Lori than with Terry and I think this reflects the nature
of the WWTS operation plus Gary's level of experience and expertise.
It is my intention to have Gary in charge and responsible for: 1.) the day-to-day
operation and maintenance of the system; 2.) the direct supervision of the WWTS
employees including assigning work responsibilities; 3.) taking care of the required
state and federal reports; and 4.) miscellaneous public relations activities. In this
last activity, I am thinking about being the first contact for citizen inquiries and
complaints, and doing such activities as speaking at the Y2K community meeting
last September 28,1999. Gary has been with the department for 6 years and has
previous management experience, so there shouldn't be anything "too new" for him
in assuming the lead responsibility for the WWTS.
.
The reason I am recommending to not establish a department head position at this
time has to do with the city organizational structure. I believe that our future
includes a staff city engineer or public works director position within the next 5
years, and that this position will have ultimate responsibility over the wastewater
treatment system, storm water management, the street department, and maybe the
parks department. This position/department is hypothetical at this time. Today, I
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425
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need to see how the operation goes with Terry supervising Gary and the
management of the WWTS.
Gary's pay effective July 1, 1999, is $18.48 per hour. While being in charge of the
WWTS in Darrell's absence, Gary is receiving an additional 10 percent in wages.
This places Gary's hourly wage at approximately $20.33. Included within this
financial framework is overtime pay while on weekend assignments. Accordingly,
this position is a non-exempt position. Assuming a 3 percent cost of living increase
at the beginning of the year and Gary moving up the equivalent of a step in July
2000, it is estimated that effective July 1, 2000, Gary's pay will be approximately
$22.77 per hour.
After about 9 months to 1 year with Gary managing the WWTS under Terry's
supervision, I am requesting that Gary complete a time spent profile and have his
position reviewed to establish the appropriate pay range, point ranking, position
title, etc. If changes are necessary, then I will recommend some adjustments to the
City Council. In the meantime, Gary's title shall be changed from lead operator to
chief operator. This title is more in line with the promotion that is being suggested
in this memo and is a typical title for the employee in charge of the WWTS
operation underneath a public works director.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council promote Gary Leirmoe to WWTS Chief
Operator under the terms and conditions as outlined above.