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<br />abstract. The estimated financial impact is $82,000. The staff believes that the transition could <br />be seamless. <br />Rod Visser said that one impact is that the public would not have to worry about who to <br />call for a particular function or need because everything would be addressed in the same <br />department. <br />Personnel Director Elaine Holmes said that 16 positions in the Public Works sanitation <br />division would transfer to the Solid Waste department. This is simply a reassignment of <br />positions and employees. Seven of the positions were originally set up as time-limited, and they <br />have been extended from year to year. The staff is recommending that with this transition that <br />these positions be made permanent. She said that the hours of the convenience centers have <br />increased, but the number of employees has stayed the same. Several of the centers were <br />originally staffed with only one operator at a time, and now they need to be staffed with two <br />operators in order to help the citizens. To meet this need, the time-limited part-time employees <br />have been working additional hours. Part of the proposal is that these two part-time positions <br />become full time. The estimated cost of this is $28,500. This is not included in the $82,000. <br />The staff is also recommending that the Solid Waste department conduct a review of the <br />workload, staffing, and organization during the first year after the transition to assess whether <br />there are opportunities to reduce workload and whether the existing staff could be realigned to <br />meet the needs. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said someone from Gayle Wilson's office faxed him a report on <br />scavenging in Chatham County. He then got a phone call from someone who said that he <br />should disregard the fax. He made reference to the NC 57 convenience center and said that <br />this center needs help because they are constantly running back and forth to make sure that <br />citizens are putting things in the right place. The workers at this center have developed <br />relationships with the citizens, and they allow scavenging. He asked if there was going to be a <br />change in philosophy once this transition is made. If there is, he wants to know about it now, <br />because he is seeing auser-friendly system right now. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that this was on the Solid Waste Advisory Board agenda and <br />a recommendation is coming. <br />Rod Visser said that the citizens would continue to be treated in a first class way by the <br />employees. Regarding scavenging, there is not awell-established, consistent policy that is well <br />understood by employees and by the public. They have asked the Solid Waste Advisory Board <br />to look at some draft ideas about a scavenging policy. <br />Gayle Wilson said that they provide their current services at a high rate of satisfaction <br />and responsiveness to the public. He sees this carrying over with the transition. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if the County would have to pay rent to the enterprise fund <br />for the space that will be used. Rod Visser said that they would try to consider the impacts of <br />the solid waste fund if, to any extent, it would be underwriting this operation. There is a specific <br />transfer from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund to the General Fund every year that has the <br />enterprise fund reimbursing the County for the support services it receives. They would make <br />sure that the transfer from the Solid Waste department would reflect any net benefits that flow <br />the other way. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about the timing on the new Solid Waste building and <br />Gayle Wilson said that there is a kick-off meeting with the architect on May 16~'. It would <br />probably not go out to bid until the winter. <br />Purchasing and Central Services Director Pam Jones said that the County has to moved <br />from the site by December 2006. <br />Gayle Wilson said that they have proposed two construction-type office trailers and to <br />prepare a gravel parking area for the equipment. It should not be a significant investment. <br />John Link said that the question is if everything will be ready for everyone to move into <br />the new building at the time that Chapel Hill vacates their entire location. <br />