4.j - Quarterly Report - CMSD's Rewards Idea ProgramProtecting 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
T o: Board of Directors
From: Scott Carroll , General Manager
Date: September 9 , 2013
Subject: Quarterly Report - Rewards Ideas Program
Sum mary
Last year, the Board of Directors approved Admini strative Regulations No. 20.40 to
help encourage employees on how to generate ideas for organizational improvements
and providing a system for answering and recognizing adopted ideas. Employees are
eli gible to receive a monetary reward up to $1,000 for ideas that generate significant
savings to the organization .
As requested by the Board of Directors, this is the programs quarterly report regarding
the number of ideas generated from the program along w ith the total monetary reward
amount.
S ta ff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors receives and files this report.
Analysis
Since the program implementation i n 2012, staff has submitted seven ideas that
accomplished one or a combination of the follow ing:
• Save material, supplies, money, space, time, or labor;
• Improve service, safety conditions, or morale;
• Improve methods, procedures, or equipment, resulting in increased output
and/or efficiency; or,
• Eliminate unnecessary procedures, records and forms .
The following is a brief description of the ideas along with the name of the staff person
that submitted the idea and his/her monetary reward.
Board of Directors
September 9 , 2013
Page 2 of 3
1. On August 1 , 2012, Steve Cano, Maintenance Supervisor and Joel Ortiz,
Maintenance Worker III submitted a sug gestion to clean half the sewer system
annually. This idea has decreased travel time and increased efficiency by
concentrating work in selected areas rather than having to drive to certain areas
just to clean selected sewer lines. The annual savings to t he District is
estimated at $79,540. Mr. Cano and Mr. Ortiz both received $500 each for their
idea.
2. On February 8, 2013, Noelani Middenway, District Deputy Clerk, submitted a
suggestion to reduce the cost for printing a master agenda packet as well as
in creasing internal accountability and improving the efficiencies for preparing
agenda p ackets. Total annual savings to the District is estimated at $13,638 .
Ms. Middenway was awarded $1,000 for her idea.
3. On March 7, 2013, Jaesen Alfassa, Maintenance Assi stant, submitted a
suggestion to enhance public safety and reduce property damage claims from
dilapidated manhole covers. Mr. Alfassa’s suggestion created awareness to
improve safety conditions in the community and assist maintenance staff in
repairing pr iority manhole covers before an accident occurs. Mr. Alfassa was
awarded $100 for his idea.
4. On May 6, 2013, Steve Cano, Maintenance Supervisor, Joel Ortiz Maintenance
Worker III and Alex Arreola, Maintenance Worker I submitted a suggestion to
relocate ce rtain hand tools and equipment that are stored on the side of the
sewer combination truck. Storing this equipment on the side of the truck
requires staff to impede in on -coming traffic to access said equipment making it
a dangerous situation. Staff’s sug gestion is to relocate certain hand tools and
equipment in other areas of the truck that does not require staff’s safety to be in
jeopardy due to heavy traffic. This suggestion is being presented to the Board
of Directors on June 27 th in which the recomme ndation is to award Mr. Cano,
Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Arreola $75.00 each for their idea.
5. On June 26 , 2013, Steve Cano Maintenance Supervisor , Joel Ortiz ,
Maintenance Worker III and Alex Arreola , Maintenance Worker II submitted a
suggestion to educate children about the work performed by the maintenance
crew and how their work is important to protecting the environment. The crew
suggested handing out crayons and a cartoon like brochure that children can
color and learn the importance of preventing sanitary sewe r overflows. Coloring
tri -folds and crayons will be stored in District vehicles ready to be handed out to
children when they are watching the maintenance crew at work. Mr. Ortiz and
Mr. Arreola each received $100 for helping writing the important messages in
the tri -fold while Mr. Cano received $150 because he created the artwork and
cartoon character.
6. On July 1 , 2013, Jaesen Alfassa, Maintenance Assistant submitted an idea to
improve safety at the District Yard by suggesting the District install parking
blocks in the Yard parking lot to prevent vehicles from accidently backing into
Board of Directors
September 9 , 2013
Page 3 of 3
equipment and/or Yard infrastructure that could result in damages and/or
injuries. Mr. Alfassa received $100 for his idea.
7. On July 7 , 2013, Javier Ochiqui, Management Analyst submitted a suggested to
promote CMSD while at the same time enhance employee moral by allowing
the District Employee of the Year receive a clothing line of his/her choice (e.g.
jacket, polo shirts, button down work shirts, etc.) with the District logo st itched
on it. Mr. Ochiqui received $100 for his idea.
Strategic Plan Element & Goal
This item complies wi t h the objective and strategy of Strategic Element 5.0,
Administrative Management , which states the following:
5.0 Administrative Management
Objec tive: To create, maintain and implement policies and procedures to ensure
sound management of the District.
Strategy: We will conduct periodic reviews, refine and implement policies and
procedures, and assure the General Manager has the direction and too ls necessary
for successful District operations.
Legal Review
Not applicable
Financial Review
Since this program was implemented, the District has saved an estimated $93,178
and has awarded a total amount of $2,875 to employees for their ideas.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the entire agenda packet for
the September 9 , 201 3 Board of Directors Study Session at District Headquarters and
on District’s website.
Alternative Actions
1. Direct staff to report back with more information.