Colton Water and Wastewater Utilities Department included funds in the FY 2023-24 budget to cover costs associated with travel to attend various training events, utility conferences, and regulatory proceedings. Currently, there are four staff members in the Department who are at or near the respective limit and need City Council approval to exceed that amount for the current fiscal year.
The Water/Wastewater Operations Manager has incurred travel-related expenses to attend the Tri-State Seminar in Las Vegas NV. The Water/Wastewater Operations Manager is scheduled to attend the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago, Illinois. The travel expenses for this conference are estimated to be $2,500, which is approximately $1,250 over the $1,500 allowed without City Council Approval. Staff is requesting the travel expense limit for the Water/Wastewater Operations Manager to be increased to $ 4,000 for FY 23/24. This amount will cover the travel expenses to attend the WEFTEC conference and will allow the Water/Wastewater Operations Manager to attend any future workshops/conferences related to the water and wastewater industry that may be scheduled during the remainder of the fiscal year.
The Wastewater Utilities Supervisor is scheduled to attend the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago, Illinois. The travel expenses for this conference are estimated to be $2,500, which is approximately $1,000 over the $1,500 allowed without City Council Approval. Staff is requesti ng the travel expense limit for the Wastewater Utilities Supervisor to be increased to $3,000 for FY 2023 -24. This amount will cover the travel expenses to attend the WEFTEC conference and will allow the Wastewater Utilities Supervisor to attend any future workshops/conferences related to the water and wastewater industry that may be scheduled during the remainder of the fiscal year.
The Wastewater Tr eatment Plant Mechanic II is scheduled to attend the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago, Illinois. The travel expenses for this conference are estimated to be $2,500, which is approximately $1,750 over the $750 allowed without City Council Approval. Staff is requesting the travel expense limit for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanic II to be increased to $3,000 for FY 23/24. This amount will cover the travel expenses to attend the WEFTEC conference and will allow the Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanic II to attend any future workshops/conferences related to the water and wastewater industry that may be scheduled during the remainder of the fiscal year.
The Senior Water Conservation Specialist is scheduled to attend the Water Smart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada . The travel expenses for this conference are estimated to be $2,000, which is approximately $1,250 over the $750 allowed without City Council Approval.
Staff is requesting the trav el expense limit for the Senior Water Conservation Specialist to be increased to $5,500 for FY 23/24. This amount will cover the travel expenses to attend the Water Smart Innovations Conference and will allow the Senior Water Conservation Specialist to attend any future workshops/conferences related to water and water conservation that may be scheduled during the remainder of the fiscal year.
10 Packet Pg. 230
Staff Report to the Mayor and City Council
Training Expenses for Water and Wastewater Utility Staff October 17, 2023
The WEFTEC Conference is the largest conference , offering water/wastewater professionals education, training, networking, and access to cutting -edge technologies and solutions. With the City currently in the design process for the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades, this is a great opportunity for staff to attend this conference to see first -hand the new technologies that will help us become more efficient and effective. Attendance at this conference will allow us the ability to see different vendors, manufacturers and physically touch and work some of the processes we are designing for upgrades at the plant. Key staff members were chosen to attend this conference based on their participation in the design and maintenance of the processes and components of the new upgrades.
Water utilities and systems are increasingly challenged by water scarcity, climate variability, evolving guidance and regulations, conservation needs, and much more. At Water Smart Innovations, professional sessions cover everything from advancing the adoption of efficient products, to expanding the use of Advanced Metering Infrastructure, to alternate water supplies, to stakeholder engagement. Additionally, water utility staff from large and small utilities will conduct sessions on the new strategies and programs their utilities are using to move the conservation needle.
FISCAL IMPACTS
Sufficient appropriations are available in the adopted FY2023 -2024 Water and Wastewater budgets in the following account numbers.
• 522-8200-8200-2280-0000-000
• 521-8100-8101-2280-0000-000
• 521-8101-8110-2280-0000-000
ALTERNATIVES
1. Provide alternative direction to Staff.
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution R-96-23
10 Packet Pg. 231
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
21 22
23 24
25 26
27 28
RESOLUTION NO. R-96-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLTON AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 STAFF TRAVEL ASSOCIATED WITH
AUTHORIZED TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Colton adopted and approved the annual budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 on the sixth day of June, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Section 6 of Resolution No. R -55-23 outlined position classification s with budgeted amounts for travel exceeding the limits set forth in the travel policy; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to Section 6 of Resolution R -55-23 is required to accommodate for additional travel proposed that will exceed the limits outlined in Administrative Policy 2.05.050; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED, AND ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLTON, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1 The Recital s preceding in this Resolution are true and correct and are incorporated into this Resolution by reference.
Section 2 The City Council authorizes the following classifications to exceed the travel limitations outlined in Administrative Policy 2.05.050 and amends Section 6 of Resolution R - 55-23 to include travel limits for the following classifications as follows:
Water/Wastewater Operations Manager, $4,000; Wastewater Operations Supervisor, $3,000; Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanic II, $3,000; Senior Water Conservation Specialist, $5,500.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 17th DAY OF OCTOBER 2023.
________________________________________
FRANK J. NAVARRO
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
STEPHANIE M. VARGAS
City Clerk
10.a
Packet Pg. 232
Attachment: Resolution R-96-23 (4232 : Training Expenses for Water and Wastewater Utility Staff)