TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution which amends the Resolution No. WD-1439 approving the creation of offices and positions in the permanent service of the Long Beach Water Department, fixing the amount of compensation for such offices and positions, and rescinding all other resolutions or orders relating thereto, as approved by the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
On August 18, 2022, the Board of Water Commissioners approved Resolution No. WD-1470 creating offices and positions in the permanent service of the Long Beach Water Department to reflect current reality, fixing the amount of compensation for such offices and positions, and rescinding all other resolutions or orders relating thereto.
On April 28, 2021, the Board of Water Commissioners adopted Resolution No. WD-1439. Since that time, the Department has been made aware that there is a discrepancy between Resolution No. WD-1439 and prior salary resolutions compared to the intent and practice of the Department as it relates to skill pays for the classification of Water Utility Worker - Non Career. The classification of Water Utility Worker - Non Career has no comparable classified position and, therefore, needs to be listed in the skill pay table for each eligible skill pay. The change will allow the Water Utility Worker - Non Career classification to receive the eligible skill pays, which was the intention when the classification was created in 2008.
In addition, the certification for the Cross-Connection (Backflow) Tester certificate has been historically issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Health, and the certification for the Cross-Connection Control Program Specialist certificate has been issued by the University of Southern California Foundation. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) offers both certifications with a lower cost as well as other benefits such as a longer renewal period, shorter wait time for classes, and the exam covering more devices that are used in the field. Therefore, the AWWA has been listed as an acceptable institute to issue these certifications. The change will allow AWWA certifications to be accepted for these two skill pays.
In addition, skill pay amount for a Water Utility Supervisor I-II with a Grade III Water Distribution Operator Certificate increased as part of negotiations in 2020, but the new dollar amount was not included in the last salary resolution. This change will align the salary resolution with the current ALBE Memorandum of Understanding.
Also, three management titles were added: Assistant General Manager - Operations (AGM-Ops), Deputy General Manager (DGM), and Executive Assistant to the Board of Water Commissioners and the General Manager. The AGM-Ops management title was already referenced in the Salary Resolution but had not been incorporated into classification title table in Section 1. The DGM title joins existing, more specific management titles such as Deputy General Manager - Business and Deputy General Manager - Engineering, and Deputy General Manager - Operations. Adding the more generic DGM title will allow more flexibility of duties and responsibilities. Lastly, the Executive Assistant to the Board of Water Commissioners and the General Manager title was added to reflect the updated organization of the Department’s executive support team, reflecting a consolidation of the duties previously provided by two Executive Assistants that separately supported the Board and the General Manager.
The Department’s organization structure and management titles (Section 12) have been updated. Although the actual reporting structure of the Department has not changed, this section lacked clarity and had not been updated recently. The section now accurately reflects the structure of the Department.
We respectfully request that you approve the attached Resolution approving the Water Department’s Resolution No. WD-1470, as adopted.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
CHRISTOPHER GARNER,
GENERAL MANAGER OF LONG BEACH WATER