City Council Meeting Date: September 3, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Dave Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Charlie Fredericks, Streets and Parks Manager
Title
Consider Resolution Accepting Streets and Parks Division Organization Assessment Report.
Body
Action Requested:
Consider a motion to approve the Resolution Accepting Streets and Parks Division Organization Assessment Report.
Summary Report:
The City Council received the draft report and presentation of the recommendations at the July 16th meeting.
Background of Study
In the pursuit of excellence in service delivery and enhanced collaboration, the City of Northfield hired public sector advisory firm, Baker Tilly U.S., LLP, to conduct a comprehensive Streets and Parks Division Organization Assessment. The primary goals of this project are to review all functions of the Streets and Parks Division related to the processes within the division to evaluate the organizational structure, staffing structure, and efficiency of staff roles and responsibilities.
Through this project, the Division is identifying process improvement areas, areas at risk of significant institutional knowledge loss and level of preparedness as Division responsibilities continue to grow. The attached draft report summarizes the observations and recommendations of the organizational assessment.
Alternative Options:
None recommended.
The report completes the scope of work. If the Resolution were not to pass, the study will be completed and the report would be an administrative tool in the future just as would be done as if the Resolution were approved. The only practical difference of approving the Resolution is that it recognizes the Council reviewed and accepted the report in a more formal manner.
Financial Impacts:
None completed at this time. Consideration of implementation for staffing changes would be a future phase to be presented as part of the 2025-2026 budget process and require City Council approval for any additions of staffing.
The process improvement recommendations will begin internally for implementation.
Tentative Timelines:
X July 16 - Presentation to City Council of Draft Organizational Assessment Report.
• July and Beyond - Staff exploration of cost and implementation considerations 2025-2026 relating to staffing levels.
• July and Beyond - Staff completing administrative recommended tasks internally.
• September 3 - City Council Resolution Accepting Streets and Parks Division Organizational Assessment.