AGENDA #5b

BUDGET WORKING PAPER

TO:                  W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

FROM:            George Small, P.E., Director of Engineering

SUBJECT:      Recommendation for Traffic Technician Position in the Traffic Division of the Engineering Department

DATE:             March 8, 2006

The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend the addition of a full-time Traffic Technician position in the FY 2006-07 Engineering Department Operating Budget.  To allow for recruitment and hiring, I propose that this position be funded for nine months in the first year, beginning in the second quarter of the fiscal year.  The proposed position would not require additional Town funding because it would be funded within the existing Traffic Division budget that includes increased revenue from the State. 

BACKGROUND

The Traffic Division consists of two sections: Signs and Markings and Traffic Signals.  The signs and markings section consists of three technicians and is responsible for pavement markings, sign fabrication/installation/maintenance, monitoring street closures and work zones, setting up detours for special events, etc. The traffic signal section consists of two technicians and is responsible for operation and maintenance of the closed loop traffic signal system in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, including approximately 105 traffic signals and flashing lights on both State and local roads.

The Traffic Program Supervisor position coordinates the work of both sections, in addition to administering the Town’s street lighting system.

The Town entered into agreements with the State for reimbursement of costs incurred by the Town for Level of Service D associated with field maintenance of traffic signal equipment and maintenance and operation of the computerized traffic signal system that serves Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The key provisions of the agreements are:

• The Town is responsible for field maintenance of traffic signals including repair work, preventative maintenance, electronic repair, and emergency maintenance.

• The Town is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the computerized traffic signal system including system computer(s), peripherals, interconnects and related equipment.

• The State will reimburse the Town for 92 percent of the cost of the Town Traffic Operations Engineer position, and will provide the Town with certain signal system computer equipment.

The traffic signal system includes signals in the Town of Carrboro, and the State reimburses Chapel Hill for operation and maintenance of those signals at the same rates as signals in the remainder of the system.

DISCUSSION

Over time, the volume and complexity of work required of our traffic technicians has increased significantly due in part to:

• Installation, operation and/or maintenance of an increasing number of traffic signals, signs and markings, and traffic calming devices necessary to serve annexation areas and new developments.
• Installation and maintenance of an increasing number of specialty signs and markings such as passive readout speed monitoring devices, rumble strips, non-standard/oversize signs, etc.
• Continuing need for sharing Traffic Division resources to assist other Town departments/divisions with traffic and non-traffic related work.
• Growing street lighting system administration needs and number of citizen request-for-assistance regarding street lighting.

Our ability to efficiently provide prompt, thorough and effective traffic-related services is sometimes limited by insufficient Traffic Division personnel resources.  State guidelines recommend one technician for every 30 traffic signals to achieve Level of Service C maintenance and operations standards. OSHA safety regulations require that a two-person crew operate the bucket truck when working on aerial traffic control devices.

Recently, the State has informed the Town that it would agree to increase the annual reimbursement to the Town by $18,000 if the Town commits sufficient personnel to maintaining the traffic signal system and associated equipment at Level of Service C.  This service level requires implementation of a Comprehensive Preventive and Bench Maintenance Program to ensure optimum operation of the traffic signal system.  We believe that the Town needs to hire an additional traffic technician that would rotate between the traffic signal section and the signs/markings section in order to meet Level of Service C staffing needs.

The cost of the recommended position is approximately $45,000 per year.  If the position is approved, we would budget $35,400 for nine months in year one as outlined below:

DESCRIPTION	ACCOUNT	ACCOUNT NAME	AMOUNT
Traffic Technician: Add new full-time regular position to perform necessary traffic signals, signs and markings functions. Grade: 29 Step: 5
	50100	FT Salaries	$23,350
	50505	FICA	$1,780
	50600	Retirement	$2,310
	50650	Medical Insurance	$5,900
	50700	Worker Comp. Insurance	$2,060
		Estimated Total	$35,400.00

We propose funding the position with the following sources:

Revenue Increase from the State for Traffic Signals Program:	$18,000
Eliminate the Temporary Salaries Cost in Traffic Division Budget:	$  9,000
Reallocate other funds in Traffic Division Budget:	$  8,400
Total:	$35,400

RECOMMENDATION

We recommend approval of a full-time traffic technician position in Traffic Division of the Engineering Department.