HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 10/2/2018 - Memorandum From Carol Webb Re: Response To Letter Received On September 24, 2018 Re: Employee Concern Regarding Combined LaboratoryUtilities
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700 Wood Street
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6700
970.221.6619 – fax
970.224.6003 – TDD
utilities@fcgov.com
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M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: 09/26/2018
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
FROM: Carol Webb, Deputy Utilities Director
Jill Oropeza, Water Quality Services Manager
RE: Response to 09/24/18 Letter re: Employee Concerns Regarding Combined
Laboratory
This memo is in response to a letter received by Mayor Troxell from a City employee expressing
concerns about a proposal to construct a combined City of Fort Collins laboratory facility. The
Utilities currently operates two separate laboratories (The Water Quality Lab and the Pollution
Control Lab) and the Watershed Program, all of which are housed in separate buildings. The
current lab facilities have not been significantly renovated since the 1980s.
The combined laboratory proposal stems from the recent completion of a laboratory master plan
(funded in the 2017/2018 Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) process). The primary goals of the
master plan included:
• Defining the City’s world-class vision for future laboratory services
• Conducting a condition assessment of each lab facility
• Consideration of non-monetary benefits (including prevention of cross-contamination
among different sample types, proximity to customers, and future lab accreditation) for a
variety of future facility alternatives
• Developing conceptual level cost estimates for each future facility alternative
• Making a recommendation for a preferred alternative based on a cost-benefit analysis using
Triple Bottom Line (TBL) methodology.
The analysis indicated that the highest cost-benefit alternative was a new combined laboratory
facility that would house the Water Quality Laboratory, the Pollution Control Laboratory, and the
Watershed Program. The key factors driving the preferred alternative include increased
efficiencies associated with a single facility and that the existing facilities could not meet the City’s
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adopted design standards and code requirements without significant investment. The new proposed
facility is included in the Utilities Capital Improvement Plan and preliminary design of the facility
is included in the City Manager’s 2019/2020 Recommended Budget. Potential locations for the
proposed lab facility include a property adjacent to (and in partnership) with Innosphere or a parcel
adjacent to the Drake Water Reclamation Facility. Additional analyses are underway to determine
the preferred location.
Combining lab and watershed functions is a significant organizational change and involves
changes in physical location of the facilities, changes in work processes, and potential changes in
job functions for approximately 20 employees. Management recognizes that such changes are
difficult and consequently change management efforts have been initiated and are ongoing.
Management engaged laboratory staff in the master planning effort, including evaluation of lab
alternatives, and have provided regular updates to staff regarding progress toward a preferred
location. Should funds be appropriated by City Council to design and construct a new lab facility,
we intend to involve lab staff to the extent feasible in the design and construction, as we value
their knowledge and expertise.
Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions.
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