05/16/2006 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 5/16/200b .tee department. We have had the interim engineer in place so that we could take a look at ;~,: this question and then develop the RFP. It is the administration's intent and it's in the request for proposals that will go out that this will be a one-year term, to terminate on or about July 31, 2007. That will give a one year period to look at the new organization with an outside engineer. Either it will be successful, or it will not. If it's not, we'll go back to where we were. But in all probability it is his expectation, especially based an the three months or so experience we have had so far, this will be greater efficiency at less cost. He expects this to be very successful. Councilman Tallon commented that he had expressed quite a concern about this and was totally in favor of hiring an in-house engineer and had asked the Mayor to look at that very closely before he made a decision. He has had the opportunity to serve on Council under bath situations and found, by and large, there was no comparison to the quality and the quantity of work that was dare by an in-house engineer as opposed to hiring an outside person. That had been his statement to the Mayor that he was not in favor of the outside person, and he really wanted to keep the position in-house. Mayor O'Grady agreed that Mr. Tallon had made those comments to him. In fact, that is why we are doing this in May of 2006 instead of October of 2005. The administration looked very diligently, talkal to people and brought in people from everywhere. They interviewed in other communities that have in-house engineering. They interviewed engineers from firms that provide engineering services to cities. They looked at the question in great detail, and it was their dete'nnination to give this a try. He thinks it's going to be very good for our community. Based on the three months that we've had with an interim engineer from an engineering fum, it brings us great benefit. If it doesn't work after a year's time, everyone will know and we will be back to where we were. Councilman Miller asked, in light of those comments, if there was interest in bringing this into committee or going forward with suspension. Councilman Tallon said he would not have a problem with it. If it doesn't work in a year, we can get rid of it. Councilman Miller commented, in regards to Mr. Tallon's comments, in his time on Council he has been lucky to work with both very qualified engineers that were full-time employees of the city and people that he was disappointed with in their work product. In that situation, looking back, it wasn't a matter of whether they were under contract or full-time employees, it was more about the person and their drive and their abilities. Personally, he is glad the issue is being resolved and we are moving forward. He is willing to give it that one year try to which the Mayor has referred. It will be a learning experience for all. Councilman Miller moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings and formal committee review, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Barker. Roll call: Miller, yes; Barker, yes; Tallon, yes; Ryan, no; Orlowski, yes; Jones, yes; Gareau, yes, with the understanding that we're dealing with aone-year period of time and that this issue will have to be brought back to Council at the end of one year in one way or the other. It will then be provided an analysis of what took place. Mayor O'Grady said the contract is one year. Councilman Miller commented that he would hope that it be brought back to Council prior to one year so a full review can be done and it does not have to be acted upon under suspension. We will have six months going in that can be included in that review. Mayor O'Grady said it would be his suggestion to Council that the administration will be bringing this back to Council every single time we use engineering services. It will either work or it won't. When it goes either way, Council will know and the administration will know. The 21