CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
1/10/2023
AGENDA ITEM
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
THOMAS BEKELE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PROJECT
PARTNERS, INC (PROJECT PARTNERS) FOR STAFF AUGMENTATION FOR
INTERIM WATER SUPERINTENDENT
Summary:
The City Council will consider entering into a Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Project Partners for an Interim Water Superintendent to provide the Public Works Water Department with critical water utility services while the City is actively recruiting to fill the full-time position.
Recommendation:
Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Project Partners for an Interim Water Superintendent for a six-month term and a not-to-exceed contract amount of $100,000 in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Fiscal Impact:
Sufficient budget is available in the Water Department Maintenance and Operations Engineering Services Account No. 500-40-5423. No additional funds need to be allocated in order to cover the costs associated with the proposed agreement. Payment for professional temporary staffing services will be offset by savings from salary and benefits of the currently vacant Water Superintendent position that was approved by the City Council as part of the City’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 Operating Budget. The contract term is for six months with a not-to-exceed amount of $100,000 and hourly rate of $120.
Strategic Plan Objective:
Goal No. 4: Maintain and improve the public infrastructure.
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1/10/2023
Background and Analysis:
Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations requires water purveyors in the state to assign a Chief Water Operator (Water Superintendent) to ensure proper quality and distribution of potable water.
This role is typically performed by a full-time City staff member, and until recently was performed by the City’s previous Water Superintendent, who departed the position in late October 2022. The Public Works Department opened a recruitment to fill the vacancy on November 4, 2022, which is currently still open as the Human Resources Department is receiving and reviewing resumes from qualified applicants. In addition, the Public Works Director appointed the Water Department’s Senior Water Operator as the interim Water Superintendent. The Senior Water Operator/Interim Water Superintendent has since retired as of December 31, 2022.
To fill the position for the remainder of the recruitment period, staff contacted three firms that specialize in staff augmentation: NV5 Consulting, Anser Advisory Inc., and Project Partners.
Resumes of qualified candidates were reviewed and ranked by the Public Works Deputy Director and Public Works Director. The firm that proposed the best qualified candidate was Project Partners.
Project Partners is a staff augmentation firm specializing in the interim placement of civil engineering and water operations professionals. Project Partners proposed placement of Mr. John Kennedy to serve as the City’s Interim Water Superintendent. Mr. Kennedy has over 27 years of experience at Irvine Ranch Water District operating a complex water system. Prior to his retirement in 2008, Mr.
Kennedy served as the Water Field Operations Superior for nearly 20 years. Mr. Kennedy also has a California Department of Public Health Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade III certificate and Grade IV Distribution Systems Operator certificate.
Staff is recommending entering into a contract with Project Partners, in which Mr. John Kennedy will provide Interim Water Superintendent duties for a period not to exceed six months unless amended by City Council at a later date.
Reviewed:
_________________________
Sharon del Rosario
Approved:
_________________________
Joe Hoefgen
Attachment
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