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 Assistant Manager Energy Control Center (CTC No. 0071), 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 the Energy Control Center to reflect the naming conventions generally used by electric utilities.  To ensure future sustainability, BWP has been devoting considerable time and effort to effective succession planning.

An external consulting company, Electric Power Group, LLC was recently brought in to review and develop recommendations to optimize BWP operations.  The company found that there were significant benefits to be gained by combining all energy control functions, both generation as well as distribution, into one section.  The firm also recommended developing a management level position requiring specialized experience and training to oversee the Energy Control Center.  To fulfill the managerial role recommended, the classification of Manager Energy Control Center was created.  To provide support for this position and to assist BWP with their ongoing initiative of effective succession planning, BWP is recommending establishing the classification of Assistant Manager Energy Control Center.

ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION:

The establishment of the title and specification for the classification of Assistant Manager Energy Control Center will allow BWP to optimize operations, keep pace within the highly competitive utility industry, and assist BWP with effective and durable succession planning. This classification will assist in managing all switching operations and work performed by

Energy Control Center (ECC) personnel. In addition to their regular duties, the Assistant Manager Energy Control Center will fulfill the duties of the Manager Energy Control Center in his/her absence.  Once this classification is established, it is the intent of BWP to move the current Distribution System Operations Manager into this new classification.  The department will not immediately eliminate the Distribution System Operations Manager classification.  Instead, the new Manager Energy Control Center will evaluate operations and determine if there is a need to maintain the Distribution System Operations Manager in addition to the Assistant Manager Energy Control Center.  The new proposed title and specification accurately describe the duties and requirements of this classification.

This classification will be subject to Civil Service, but exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  This classification 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 November 1, 2006.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The proposed salary range for the Assistant 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 the classification of Assistant Manager Energy Control Center will be set at $7700 to $9356, comparable to the Distribution System Operations Manager classification.

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 proposed resolution establishing the title and specification for the classification of Assistant Manager Energy Control Center (CTC No. 0071), as shown in the attachment.

Respectfully submitted,

Judie Sarquiz

Management Services Director