PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to request City Council adoption of the proposed resolution establishing the title and specification for the classification of Manager Energy Control Center (CTC No. 0542), as shown in the attachment.

BACKGROUND:

Burbank Water and Power (BWP) has been restructuring over the past several years to be able to better address the changes in the utility industry and to be on the cutting edge of these changes.  In an ongoing effort to accomplish this, BWP has changed the name of the Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) facility to Energy Control Center. This name change is designed to reflect the naming conventions generally used by electric utilities that emphasize the function of the facility rather than the technology deployed.

An external consulting company, Electric Power Group, LLC was recently brought in to review and develop recommendations to optimize BWP operations. This company recommended incorporating all energy control functions, both generating as well as distribution, under a single management level position requiring specialized experience and training. Prior to this recommendation, BWP�s dispatch operations were separated into multiple groups.

ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION:

BWP must keep pace with the ever changing industry standards. Based upon these continuing changes in the industry and to optimize BWP operations, BWP is proposing to establish the classification of Manager Energy Control Center. The establishment of this new title and specification will allow the department to keep pace with the utility industry and will also provide a highly specialized and trained management employee to increase efficiency. This position will develop, plan, and manage all of the newly combined functions of the Energy Control Center, including administration, security, emergency response, electrical operations, and SCADA. The Manager Energy Control Center will also oversee all Energy Control Center personnel, including the Energy Trader/Scheduler, Real Time Energy Trader, Senior Power Dispatcher, Power Dispatcher, Substation Operator, and the Electrical Engineering Associate. This proposed new structure within the facility would not only mimic other sections within BWP, but would also mirror the structure of the utility industry in general. This establishment will also assist the department in recruiting highly specialized individuals. The new proposed title and specification accurately describe the duties and requirements for this position. 

This classification will be subject to Civil Service, but exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position will be included in the City�s Conflict of Interest Code and required to report on disclosure categories A-1 and A-2 regarding investments, category C regarding Income and Business Positions, and categories D, E, and F regarding Loans, Gifts, Honoraria, and Travel Payments.  The Burbank Management Association (BMA) will represent this classification. The Civil Service Board approved this establishment at their regular meeting on September 6, 2006.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The proposed salary range for the Manager Energy Control Center was established by reviewing internal salary relationships within Burbank Water and Power to maintain consistency among positions with similar responsibility levels.  The salary range for this classification will be positioned at 121% above Real Time Energy Trader, which is the highest classification represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) under the supervision of the Manager Energy Control Center.  As such, the salary range for the Manager Energy Control Center will be set at $9,727-$11,818.

Funding for this classification for the current fiscal year will be offset by salary savings. The future recurring cost for this classification will be included in the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution establishing the specification for the classification of Manager Energy Control Center (CTC No. 0542), as shown in the attachment.

Respectfully submitted,

Judie Sarquiz

Management Services Director