12 - Rewarding Ideas
Protecting our community's health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services.
www.cmsdca.gov
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
….an Independent Special District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Scott Carroll, General Manager
Date: June 26, 2014
Subject: Rewarding Ideas Program
Summary
Last year, the Board of Directors approved Administrative Regulations No. 20.40 the
Rewarding Ideas Program, which is designed to encourage employees to generate
ideas for organizational improvements and provide a system for responding to and
recognizing adopted ideas. Employees are eligible to receive a monetary reward of up
to $1,000 for ideas that generate significant savings and/or efficiencies to the
organization.
Staff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors approves rewarding Brandon Joseph, Maintenance Worker
I, $100 for his idea to improve emergency generator mobilization at President Pump
Station.
Analysis
President Pump Station is located in an alley at the end of the cul-de-sac on President
Place. As you can see in the attached picture, the alleyway is long and narrow,
without lights and it has nearly a ninety degree turn. It is extremely difficult to back in a
portable generator to this pump station, especially at night.
Brandon’s idea is to relocate the portable generator at Mendoza Pump Station to
President Pump Station. A generator at Mendoza is no longer needed because it now
has a permanent by-pass pump, which provides as backup power and pumping
capabilities at this station. Relocating the generator to President will greatly improve
staff’s response time in the event of a power outage. The downtime before an SSO
occurs at President Pump Station is two hours, so time is of the essence to ensure this
station has alternative power.
ITEM NO. 12
Board of Directors
June 26, 2014
Page 2 of 2
The existing chain link fence at President Pump Station will have to be removed and
replaced with a new fence that can accommodate the generator. In addition, the new
chain link fence will have barb wire on the top to prevent anyone from climbing over.
Staff obtained three quotes to remove the existing chain link fence and replace it with a
40 linear foot chain link fence, which includes barb wire, two swing gates and
screening. The bids are below.
Pyramid Fence $6,645
Superior Fence $6,750
A1 Fence $9,952
Even though the District is incurring a cost of $6,645 for relocating the generator to
President Pump Station, staff believes this expense is an investment for preventing
sanitary sewer overflows. Brandon’s idea will improve service, safety conditions (no
more backing in the generator) and efficiencies by taking less time to provide
alternative power at President Pump Station. These improvements are eligible for an
award under the Rewarding Ideas Program.
Strategic Plan Element & Goal
This item complies with the objective and strategy of Strategic Element 6.0,
Personnel/Organization Management, which states the following:
Objective: To employ and retain a high quality, motivated workforce.
Strategy: We will do this by utilizing sound policies and personnel practices, offering
competitive compensation and benefits, providing opportunities for training,
development and professional growth, while ensuring a safe and secure workplace.
Legal Review
Not applicable
Environmental Review
The consideration of monetary rewards for employees for cost-saving ideas is an
administrative matter and is not a disturbance of the environment similar to grading or
construction and is not a project under CEQA or the District’s CEQA Guidelines.
Financial Review
The cost to install a new chain link fence is $6,645. The cost of the $100 reward to
Brandon Joseph is $101.47 including taxes. There are adequate funds available in the
Sewer Maintenance Fund budget to approve this award.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the entire agenda packet for
the June 26, 2014 Board of Directors regular meeting at District Headquarters and on
District’s website.
Board of Directors
June 26, 2014
Page 2 of 2
Alternative Actions
1. Approve a lessor amount to District employee Brandon Joseph.
2. Do not approve the reward.
Attachments A: President Pump Station Aerial Map
B. Brandon Joseph Completed Rewarding Ideas Program
Suggestion Form
Reviewed by:
Wendy H. Davis
Interim Finance Manager
Pump
station
under tree
Alleyway
Staff backs up generator