HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works February 6 20011
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
February 6, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Committee Member Barbara
Brenner in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
Marlene Dawson None
Dan McShane
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR (AB2001 -023)
Dawson nominated Brenner.
Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE ON FILLING THE FLOOD PROGRAM POSITION (AB2001 -058)
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated he distributed information on all of
the vacant positions in the Public Works Department. There are a wide variety of
vacancies in the department. The worksheet is a way to communicate with the
Human Resources Division regarding the department's priorities.
Priorities one through three and 23 relate to flood control. Priority one is an
Engineering Technician III position that became vacant near the end of 2000.
They've held interviews and are considering whether to fill the position with one of
the applicants or to advertise the vacancy again. Priorities two and three are two
new Engineer positions that were approved in the budget. They are being
advertised right now, and will close on February 12, 2000. Priority 23, the Flood
Control Engineering Technician IV, is to deal with sediment management. The
reason it is low on the priority list is because they need to engage the Flood
Advisory Committee more to confirm the scope and qualifications that are needed.
They must also decide what role a potential consultant could play regarding
sediment management. There are things that need to be dealt with before they
can advertise for the position.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/6/2001, Page 1
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Brenner questioned whether there are 17.5 positions that haven't been filled.
Monsen stated that anything listed as filled internally is filled. However, it means
there is a vacancy somewhere else.
Brenner stated there are really about 20.5 vacancies. Monsen stated that
sounds about right.
Brenner questioned how long the employee was in the position of the Flood
Control Engineering Technician III before he or she left the position.
Dick Prieve, Assistant Director of Operations, stated the person was in the
position a bit under two years. It was enough to get the person trained and 100
percent productive when he got a better offer.
Brenner questioned the number of employees in the Public Works
Department altogether. Monsen stated there are a few more than 150 employees.
Brenner stated the vacancies make up about five or six percent of the total
employees. She didn't like it that the flood people keep getting training and then
leave.
Dawson stated she never got a response from Fisheries about the definition
of "emergency." Monsen stated he would follow up on it as well.
Brenner asked how soon they would expect to make a decision on the Flood
Control Engineering Technician III. Monsen stated he would make a decision this
week.
Brenner questioned whether the new positions have been advertised.
Monsen stated the Flood Control Engineer positions have been advertised
externally, and the application period would close next week. The Flood Control
Engineering Technician IV would hopefully be ready for advertising in the spring.
He will have to have a discussion with the Public Works Committee about the issues
and reaction of the Flood Advisory Committee about how to deal with that position
in that program area. The position was created to specifically see through a
sediment management plan. He wanted to make sure everyone agrees on what
should be accomplished by that position.
Brenner questioned whether Mr. Monsen was concerned about how they are
going to do that. Monsen stated he was concerned about how they are going to do
it and how that position relates with the flood program generally.
Brenner questioned whether Mr. Monsen supported having an employee for
sediment management. Monsen stated that if they are going to be proactive in the
sediment management area, then they need a person.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/6/2001, Page 2
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McShane stated his concern at the time was that the Flood Advisory
Committee came forward requesting two positions. The Council was interested in
sediment management, but did not have much discussion about it. His concern
was that they have a position specifically for sediment management so they don't
lose what they are trying to gain by adding to the other positions. It is very
prudent to have the Flood Advisory Committee determine where the employee
should focus his or her efforts regarding sediment management. It is a big, broad
issue beyond just the river.
Dawson questioned what causes sediment in the creeks.
McShane stated sediment in the creeks is caused by the geology of the
creeks. Swift Creek had a gigantic landslide. The streams naturally have sediment
that come into them. When they get to the valley floor, they drop the sediment
load and start misbehaving.
Brenner questioned whether Swift Creek is the creek that has something in
the sediment that makes it difficult to get rid of the sediment. Monsen stated Swift
Creek has a form of asbestos that is not the type that has caused lung problems,
but it is still asbestos. From a material - handling standpoint, it has improved
dramatically.
Dawson asked what happens to it when it gets hauled away. Monsen stated
some of it has been piling up. The trick is to find a user for it at the time it is being
excavated. Generally, no one is willing to use it if it costs to pile it and then move
it again.
Brenner stated she believed that if the County had nearby projects, it would
use the material. Monsen stated that if they have an application within that area,
the County would try to use that material. It is unusual for the County to use that
quantity of material.
Brenner questioned whether Councilmember McShane believed that the best
use of the third position is for sediment management.
McShane stated that Councilmember Hoag made the comment that sediment
management was something she wanted to see worked on. His response to that
was that another position be added, because he didn't want the priority efforts that
the Flood Advisory Committee presented to be bumped off due to an effort going
into sediment management. They will need some input on the Flood Advisory
Committee on whether it is a position they want and what that position should do.
That position could waste a lot of time and money.
Monsen stated they would have recommendations coming this spring to
proceed with filling the position or alternatives to complete the work that is being
considered.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/6/2001, Page 3
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McShane questioned whether they are getting quality applicants. Prieve
stated the position of Engineering Technician III drew four applicants. They
interviewed one who isn't really qualified. If they make the applicant an offer, it
would be for an under - position for a lower technician status until he gets the
training required. He's been in contact with an engineer who is interested in
another position they are filling.
Brenner questioned how the Technician III compares to an Engineer. Prieve
stated the Engineer requires a license and a degree. A technician only has to have
an Associates Degree.
Monsen stated the entry -level Engineering Technician positions are
Technician II's. Technician I's are summer help. A Technician III plays a senior
support role. A Technician IV takes more of a leadership role, but still is in support
of an engineer or manager. An engineer is self- sustaining regarding their program
or projects, having limited oversight.
Brenner questioned whether one of the reasons they are not getting many
qualified applicants is because of the salary level. Monsen stated his opinion was
that two things are happening. One thing that is happening is that the County is
fairly competitive regarding the salary level, but it is not high enough to get
someone to change a job. One wouldn't necessarily make a move without getting a
pay increase unless they really want to come to this community.
Brenner questioned whether there are a lot of engineering or technician
types floating around in the community. Monsen stated there are not many looking
for work who have some experience in this area. There is not a huge pool out
there. Regarding water resource issues, they are receiving as much interest out of
Florida as they are Washington.
Brenner questioned where they are advertising. Monsen stated they are
advertising on the internet pretty aggressively. Many people across the United
States pick up on those advertisements.
McShane questioned whether the decision now is whether or not to hire a
person at a lower, probationary level. He questioned whether that is preferable
than increasing the pay to shoot for a higher level position. Prieve stated he didn't
envision the County getting any other or new applicants if they advertise again.
The one applicant doesn't have the experience they require, but is more than half
way there and also has college education in this field. They are going to require
him to do some more college at a lower entry rate and be on probation. Once he
fulfills those commitments of education, training, and experience, he will qualify for
the Technician III position.
Brenner questioned whether it would be possible to hire this person and also
keep advertising. With as many positions that are open, they could cross -train
people. She questioned for how long they advertised the position. Prieve stated
they advertised for three weeks.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/6/2001, Page 4
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Brenner stated things are changing all the time. After this spring, there
should be a lot of four -year college graduates. Prieve stated the history has shown
that they advertised for a traffic engineer position for two or three years. They
never got any applicants. His position of Assistant Director of Operations was
advertised twice. They spent a lot of time and effort. They offered the job to two
people, but neither of them took it. Therefore, they did an internal alignment and
changed the organization. It takes an enormous amount of time and effort. They
are not seeing the results that they want, and are spending a lot of time.
Brenner asked how they are spending time by putting something on the
internet. Monsen stated they are starting to keep positions open until they are
filled. Depending on the response they get for the two flood engineers, they would
consider doing that as well.
McShane stated they have some flexibility in hiring someone for the
Technician III position and training that person. They don't have that flexibility
with an engineering position.
Brenner stated she wanted to advertise for more than three weeks for those
positions in which they need to ensure getting the best applicants. She was not as
concerned with lower level technician positions. The higher -level technician
positions should be left open.
McShane stated that is what they are planning to do with the flood
engineers.
Brenner stated she wanted to bring someone on to move up through the
ranks, but they should keep advertising the vacancy for the Flood Control
Engineering Technician III position.
OTHER BUSINESS
Brenner stated she wanted to send an invitation to the Washington
Transportation Alliance and the trucking people to get presentations regarding
the triple trailer trucks (AB2000 -409). She didn't know that they could change
her position, but they requested to give a presentation. It is fair that the
committee do it.
Dawson stated they should speak to the business club.
Brenner stated that is up to the business club. She is willing to listen to
them. One concern that was raised was that the Council supported a weight limit
that doesn't really have to do with triple trailers. She thought she was voting in
opposition to triple trailers only. Both sides have asked to make their
presentations.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/6/2001, Page 5
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:57 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/6/2001, Page 6