1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: July 16, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Betsy McClinton, Management Services Director
BY: Anna Ter-Yegishyan, 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 Engineering Technician; Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Salary for the Classification of Utility Locator; Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Salary for the Classification of Senior Utility Locator; Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Salary and Conflict of Interest Code Designation for the Classification of Utility Project Manager; and Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Citywide Salary Schedule
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK
APPROVING T HE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SALARY AND CONFLICT OF
INTEREST CODE DESIGNATION FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN (Attachment 1).
2. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK
APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SALARY FOR THE
CLASSIFICATION OF UTILITY LOCATOR (Attachment 2).
3. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK
APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SALARY FOR THE
CLASSIFICATION OF SENIOR UTILITY LOCATOR (Attachment 3).
4. 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 UTILITY PROJECT MANAGER (Attachment 4).
5. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING THE CITYWIDE SALARY SCHEDULE (Attachment 5).
MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
2 BACKGROUND
The Management Services Department (MSD) manages the City’s Classification and Pay Plan, which includes all classifications utilized by the City. MSD periodically requests amendments to the City’s Classification and Pay Plan to assist the departments in ensuring that titles and job specifications for the City’s classifications remain relevant and include the necessary essential functions and employment standards to meet the needs of the departments and the City. Maintaining updated job spec ifications and having competitive salaries also assists the City with its recruitment and retention efforts.
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule I, Section 4, the Civil Service Board (CSB) approved the establishment of the title and specification for the Civil Service classifications of Principal Engineering Technician, Utility Locator, Senior Utility Locator, and Utility Project Manager.
Therefore, MSD is seeking Council approval of the salaries, and approval of the Conflict of Interest Code Designation, as applicable, for the classification of Principal Engineering Technician and Utility Project Manager.
Additionally, per California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations, MSD requests Council adopt a resolution approving the updated Citywide Salary Schedule, which includes the proposed salaries of these classifications.
DISCUSSION
Principal Engineering Technician
Burbank Water and Power (BWP) is proposing to establish a new classification titled Principal Engineering Technician. The Engineering Technician series currently consists of Engineering Technician and Senior Engineering Technician and is used at BWP to perform para-professional assignments in civil or electrical engineering associated with the design of BWP’s water distribution, electrical distribution, and telecommunications systems. The proposed establishment of Principal Engineering Technician would extend the existing job series and create an additional opportunity for advancement for employees in the Engineering Technician series while supporting employee retention and succession planning.
The proposed Principal Engineering Technician would provide sk illed engineering support across civil, mechanical, or electrical disciplines, including meeting with contractors and making on-site decisions. Responsibilities would include drafting detailed engineering designs, analyzing data, preparing reports and proposals, and managing projects. Additionally, the proposed Principal Engineering Technician would supervise staff and ensure compliance with regulations. This classification will report to the Electrical Engineer.
Due to the highly technical nature of elect rical, water, and telecommunications utilities, the proposed Principal Engineering Technician would help BWP more effectively manage and design its projects by retaining top talent, which is key to continuing and maintaining a high level of service to BWP customers.
The proposed monthly salary range was determined based on the salaries of comparable classifications identified among the City’s utility survey cities as well as maintaining internal equity. Specifically, the top monthly salary for the Principal Engineering Technician amounts to 78% of the top monthly salary for the Principal Electrical Engineer. 3 Therefore, staff is proposing the monthly salary range be set at $8,947.62 to $11,766.13 (biweekly salary range of $4,129.67 to $5,430.52).
The proposed Principal Engineering Technician will be a Civil Service classification represented by the Burbank Management Association (BMA). This classification will be exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act ( FLSA) under the professional and highly - compensated employee exemptions and will be included in the City’s Conflict of Interest Code. The BMA has been advised of the establishment and the BWP General Manager concurs with this recommendation.
Utility Locator and Senior Utility Locator
BWP is proposing to establish a new job series consisting of two new classifications titled Utility Locator and Senior Utility Locator. The main duty of these positions will be to locate underground utilities in response to 811 Underground Service Alert (USA) requests, thereby playing a critical role in safeguarding public safety.
Under California Law, owners of underground utilities, including BWP's buried water, fiber optic, and electric infrastructure, must respond to excavation requests from operators and excavators within two working days, not including the date of notification. In addition, BWP must also respond to emergency excavation requests for unexpected occurrences that present a clear and imminent da nger to life, health, emergency, or essential assets and demand immediate action. If BWP does not properly mark its underground infrastructure within two days of a USA request, BWP may be held liable for injuries, deaths, or damages from the excavation of BWP's unmarked infrastructure.
BWP has relied on a Land Surveyor and Senior Survey Aide to locate BWP's underground infrastructure. However, while a land surveyor could locate underground utilities, utility locating is not consistent with a land surveyor’s traditional scope of practice. Additionally, BWP has had a difficult time recruiting and retaining Land Surveyors and Senior Survey Aides due to the specialized skills required to perform the duties of a utility locator. The establishment of a Utility Locator and Senior Utility Locator will not only help in recruiting and retaining Land Surveyors and Senior Survey Aides, but also provide Utility Locators an opportunity for career advancement into the Senior Utility Locator position.
The primary duties of the proposed Utility Locator and Senior Utility Locator involve searching, locating, identifying, and marking all BWP underground facilities by utilizing supplied maps, prints, available equipment, and established techniques. In addition to the responsibilities of a Utility Locator, the Senior Utility Locator will oversee budget preparation and direct the work of the Utility Locators, coordinating and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of their assignments. The Utility Locator will report to the Senior Utility Locator and the Senior Utility Locator will report to the Manager Technology.
The proposed monthly salary ranges for Utility Locator and Senior Utility Locator w ere determined based on the salaries of comparable classifications identified among the City’s utility survey cities. Among the six surveyed cities, Glendale and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) were found to have positions similar to those st aff is proposing. To establish these ranges, staff is using the average salaries of these positions in Glendale and SMUD. Specifically, staff is proposing the monthly salary range for Utility Locator be set at $ 5,349.11 to $7,373.80 (biweekly salary range of $2, 468.82 to 4 $3,403.29) and proposing the monthly salary range for Senior Utility Locator be set at $5,912.49 to $8,150.44 (biweekly salary range of $2,728.84 to $3,761.74).
The proposed Utility Locator and Senior Utility Locator will be Civil Service classifications represented by the Burbank City Employees’ Association (BCEA). The BCEA has been advised of the establishments and the BWP General Manager concurs with this recommendation.
Utility Project Manager
BWP maintains an intensive capital improvement program to ensure the City's infrastructure is reliable, sustainable, and affordable for the community. As the City's infrastructure ages at a faster rate than can presently be replaced, there is a crucial need for BWP to increase and expand their capital improvement program.
Therefore, BWP is proposing to establish a new classification titled Utility Project Manager to manage the growing number of capital improvement projects (CIPs) for BWP. Many of these project s will involve planning, organization, and effective communication with various stakeholders to achieve consensus on project and program goals. The Utility Project Manager will perform complex project management work within assigned CIP areas, including research and analysis of complex data, and preparation and presentation of comprehensive design studies, operational reports, budgets, financial analysis, and other informational items. Additionally, this position will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and monitoring the implementation of CIPs and making recommendations on the design and preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates for various CIPs, including requests for consultant services, new construction, additions, remodels, space planning, and infrastructure improvements. The Utility Project Manager will also provide insights and recommendations on overarching matters, including operational needs and the impacts of projects on departmental operations. The Utility Project Manager will report to the Manager Water Engineering and Planning.
The proposed monthly salary range was determined based on the salaries of comparable classifications identified among the City’s utility survey cities. Staff is proposing the monthly salary range be set at $ 9,458.04 to $ 12,437.32 (biweekly salary range of $4,365.25 to $5,740.30).
The proposed Utility Project Manager will be a Civil Service classification represented by the BMA. This classification will b e exempt from the FLSA under the professional and highly-compensated employee exemptions and will be included in the City’s Conflict of Interest Code. The BMA has been advised of the establishment and the BWP General Manager concurs with this recommendation.
Citywide Salary Schedule
Lastly, in accordance with Government Code § 20636 and California Code of Regulations § 570.5, the California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) requires public agencies to post a publicly available salary schedule that is approved by Council at a public meeting for CalPERS to determine earnable income. Therefore, staff is requesting Council adopt an updated salary schedule that includes the proposed salary for Principal Engineering Technician, Utility Locator, Senior Utility Locator, and Utility Project Manager.
5 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
These activities have 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 proposed positions of Principal Engineering Technician, Utility Locator, Senior Utility Locator, and Utility Project Manager were included in the Fiscal Year (FY) budget for 2024/25. Therefore, these requests are cost neutral and there is no fiscal impact to the Utility Fund or General Fund.
CONCLUSION
The proposed establishment of the salar y and Conflict of Interest Code Designation for the classifications of Principal Engineering Technician and Utility Project Manager , and the proposed establishment of the salaries for the classifications of Utility Locato r and Senior Utility Locator, meets the current and ongoing needs of the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Resolution for the Classification of Principal Engineering Technician Attachment 2 – Resolution for the Classification of Utility Locator Attachment 3 – Resolution for the Classification of Senior Utility Locator Attachment 4 – Resolution for the Classification of Utility Project Manager Attachment 5 – Resolution approving the Citywide Salary Schedule