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ITEM: |
CONSENT CALENDAR |
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5. |
CONSIDER EXPENDITURE
OF BUDGETED FUNDS TO CONTRACT FOR TEMPORARY HELP IN THE WATER DEMAND DIVISION |
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Meeting
Date: |
April 19,
2010 |
Budgeted: Yes |
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From: |
Darby
Fuerst, General
Manager |
Program/Line Item No: Temporary Personnel |
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Prepared
By: |
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Cost Estimate: $9,272 |
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General
Counsel Review: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this
item on April 13, 2010 and recommended approval. |
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CEQA
Compliance: N/A |
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SUMMARY: The Water Demand Division has recently been deluged with rebate applications. These applications have increased 300% from this time last year. This is the result of a combination of factors that include California American Water’s (Cal-Am) rate increase, and widespread outreach and advertising efforts by both the District and Cal-Am. Most recently, Ordinance 140 added rebates for lawn replacement with drought-tolerant plants and the installation of synthetic turf, along with several other new retrofits. The District’s Conservation Technician II is responsible for processing rebates. It is anticipated that she can adjust her schedule to absorb the increased workflow in this area. However, the Conservation Technician has also been acting as point-person for implementation of the Water Demand Division’s new database. Coordinating with the District Chief Technology Officer and Zone 24X7 consultants, to resolve programming issues related to real-time use of the new system by Water Demand staff, has occupied an unusual amount of her time. Therefore, the backlog of rebate applications has been steadily mounting.
The target date for full database
implementation is June 30, 2010. After
that time, the Conservation Technician should be able to concentrate fully on
her other duties, including rebates. However, hiring a temporary agency
employee to perform data entry and answer telephones, for a period of
approximately four months, would significantly lessen the backlog and encourage
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the expenditure of funds to enter into an agreement with a local temporary agency to provide an individual, or successive individuals if necessary, to perform clerical duties in the Water Demand Division.
IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The proposed budget for FY 2009-2010 includes $45,000 for temporary help in the Water Demand Division. $19,000 of that amount has not been used or allocated. A temporary agency employee, employed for the maximum 488 hours available to work during the current fiscal year, would cost up to $9,272.
BACKGROUND: The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, in a joint-effort program with California American Water, has been offering rebates for various pre-qualified water conserving appliances since l997. The first rebates were offered for installation of low-flow toilets. Ultra-low consumption dishwashers and washing machines were added a few years later. Development of new technologies and utilization of additional techniques for conservation have resulted in an increasing number of rebates offered. The provisions of Ordinance 140, effective January 2010, added new rebates that include those for lawn replacement with drought-tolerant plants, the use of synthetic turf, high-efficiency and pint urinals, and rotating sprinkler nozzles.
EXHIBITS
None
U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2010\20100419\ConsentCal\05\item5.doc