HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11032015 - C.39RECOMMENDATION(S):
ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 21760 to add one (1) Principal Structural Engineer (NCHA)
(represented) at salary level ZA5 1962 ($7,766 - $9,439), and two (2) Structural Engineer (NCSA) (represented) at
salary level ZB5 1813 ($6,700 - $8,144), in the Department of Conservation and Development.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No impact to County General Fund. The combined annual cost for these three (3) new positions is approximately
$490,000, of which $120,000 represents pension costs. These positions will be funded 100% by building permit fees.
BACKGROUND:
Due to the improved economy and increased construction activities, the Department of Conservation and
Development (DCD) is experiencing a significant surge in building permit applications that require structural plan
check reviews performed by structural engineers. DCD's current engineering staffing level is not sufficient to
efficiently manage the increased workload. For DCD to meet its obligations under County ordinance, it is
operationally necessary to add more structural engineers on staff to provide additional support in its structural plan
check operations.
In FY 2006/07 - at the height of the real estate and construction boom - DCD recorded close to 15,000 building
permits processed (including plan check reviews). During this same period, DCD had on staff anywhere between 10
-12 permanent structural engineers. Over time, the number of engineers on staff was allowed to decline to
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 11/03/2015 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: Arnai Maxey (925)
674-7876
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board
of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 3, 2015
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: Chris Heck, Deputy
cc: MJ DeJesus-Saepharn, Cheryl Koch, James Hicks, Arnai Maxey
C. 39
To:Board of Supervisors
From:John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:November 3, 2015
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Add Structural Engineers to the Department of Conservation and Development
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
reflect reduced permit activity, and currently DCD has only seven (7) permanent engineers on staff: two (2)
Principal Structural Engineers and five (5) Senior Structural Engineers. One of the two (2) Principal Structural
Engineers is assigned full-time in the Lafayette Satellite Office serving the Lamorinda area. The remaining six
engineers make up the core engineering unit in DCD's Application and Permit Center in Martinez serving the
entire county outside of Lamorinda.
The permit and plan checks numbers have been steadily rising beginning in FY 2010/11, and the last three (3)
years saw permits surpassing the FY 2006/07 volume. DCD closed FY 2014/15 with permit and plan check
numbers totaling 23,931, which is approximately 58% higher than the recorded number for FY 2006/07. The
previous two fiscal years, DCD closed the year with 20,215 and 17,692 permits and plan check processed
respectively for FY 13/14 and FY 12/13. With this increased trend in building permits and plan checks, it is
operationally critical for DCD to add more engineers. This Board Order is requesting to add two (2) Structural
Engineers (entry-level) and one (1) Principal Structural Engineer. The Principal Structural Engineer will provide
the additional lead oversight to the team of structural engineers and will co-oversee coordination with the
non-structural plan check operations to ensure timely and accurate plan check reviews. The addition of these three
(3) positions will bring the engineer staffing level from seven (7) permanent staff to 10, which is consistent with
the lower end of the staffing level in FY 2006/07.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without the additional engineering staff, the Department of Conservation and Development cannot guarantee
efficient, timely and accurate plan check service for our customers as required under the County Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
P300 21760 Add 3 Structural Engineers to DCD