1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: January 31, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Betsy McClinton, Management Services Director
BY: David Lasher, Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Salary and Conflict of Interest Code Designation for the Classification of Principal Communications Network Engineer and Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Citywide Salary Schedule
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK
APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SALARY AND CONFLICT OF
INTEREST CODE DESIGNATION FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF P RINCIPAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK ENGINEER (Attachment 1)
2. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING THE CITYWIDE SALARY SCHEDULE (Attachment 2)
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule I, Section 4, the Civil Service Board (CSB) approved the establishment of the title and specification for the classification of Principal Communications Network Engineer at their regularly scheduled meeting on December 7, 2022. The Management Services Department requests the City Council establish the respective salary and Conflict of Interest Code designation for this classification.
Additionally, per California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations, the Department requests the Ci ty Council adopt a resolution approving the updated Citywide Salary Schedule which includes the proposed salary of this classification.
DISCUSSION
Communication networks are the backbone of utility operations and require highly specialized and advanced sk ills to meet the current and anticipated needs of Burbank Water and Power (BWP). These demands include addressing the significant and
MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
2 increasing number of cyber threats that are leveled against the power grid and BWP’s systems in general.
BWP utilizes a number of systems, including ICS (industrial controls networks), DCS (distributed control systems), core routers, backhaul routers, and cyber security systems to maintain the crucial communication networks that are employed to support the management of power generation, substations, and other infrastructure at the utility.
Addressing these critical requirements, BWP proposed and the CSB approved of the establishment of the classification of Principal Communications Network Engineer.
Additionally, the technical and networking elements of the ONEBurbank fiberoptic enterprise, which is especially important to the Burbank business community, will also be managed by the Principal Communications Network Engineer.
In addition to managing the wide variety of complex mission critical communication networks associated with the grid and power resource control systems, this classification will also have a positive impact on both the City and the utility, especially in comparison to other utilities in our region when it comes to attracting, recruiting, and retaining employees with the unique skills needed at BWP.
Regarding the salary range, the proposed monthly salary is commensurate with the high- level critical network engineering skill set required to manage, support, and maintain essential utility systems that operate and control the grid and power generation. In an effort to maintain internal equity, staff is proposing the salary range be equivalent to the salary of the Principal Electrical Engineer , which has a similar level of responsibilit y.
Accordingly, the proposed monthly salary range for the Principal Communication s Network Engineer would be $10,647.41 to $14,001.33 (bi -weekly $4,914.19 to $6,462.15).
The proposed establishment would be a Civil Service classification represented by the Burbank Management Association (BMA). The BMA was advised of the establishment and the BWP General Manager concurs with this recommendation.
In accordance with Government Code Section 20636 and Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations Section 570.5, CalPERS requires public agencies to post a publicly available salary schedule that is approved by the City Council at a public meeting in order for CalPERS to determine earnable income. Therefore, staff is requesting the City Council adopt an updated salary schedule that includes the proposed salary for this classification.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Fiscal Year 2022- 23 budget includes funding for the salary of a Principal Communications Network Engineer in the proposed salary range. Additionally, the proposed salary would be offset by the growth in ONEBurbank customers and associated 3 revenue generation. As such, there will be no fiscal impact associated with the approval of these resolutions.
CONCLUSION
The establishment of the salary and Conflict of Interest Code designation for the classification of Principal Communications Network Engineer will address the vital needs of BWP. This proposal will also positively influence the recruitment and retention needs and succession planning of BWP. The classification is critical to meeting the goals of the Department and the City. Therefore, staff recommends the Ci ty Council adopt these resolutions.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Resolution for the classification of Principal Communications Network Engineer
Attachment 2 – Resolution approving the City’s Salary Schedule