City Council Meeting Date: September 13, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Review proposed 2017 Public Works Department Operating Funds and 2017-2021 Capital Improvement Plan and Capital Equipment Plan.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council requested to review the 2017 Public Works Department Operating Funds and Capital Improvement/Equipment Plan.
Summary Report:
The Public Works department consists of four divisions that include; Engineering, Streets and Parks, Facilities, and Utilities. The primary source of funding is through the General Fund with the exception of the Utility Enterprise Funds (Sanitary, Storm, Water, and Garbage).
Overall for 2017, no major operational changes are being proposed except for additional funding in the Streets and Parks Department. The Streets and Parks Division is requesting additional overtime and two additional seasonal part-time staff.
During the mowing season, full-time operators and seasonal staff are busy mowing public grounds and parks. With two additional seasonal staff, they would be on staff earlier in the spring and later in the fall to assist with mowing. This along with additional overtime will assist the division that is falling behind on routine maintenance of sidewalks, playgrounds, and tree trimming. The additional seasonal staff will free up time for full-time operators to work on other tasks.
A summary changes for each division's budget is below.
Engineering
The division is proposing minor changes, mainly in staffing costs and additional funding for professional services. The professional services are used as necessary to pay for legal and services rendered for items that come up throughout the year. For example, if the City needs assistance on a traffic concerns. Key items for 2017 included the 2017 Street Improvement Project and getting the Pavement Management Program restarted.
Streets a...
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