Council approves chart change to require CDL for street hires and to add expedited hiring slot

The Committee of the Whole approved moving the facility groundskeeper position back into the street maintenance worker classification and adding an additional shell position to allow faster hiring and promotions in the street division.

The Street Division Supervisor explained that regulatory and training requirements to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) have increased, now requiring extensive drive time, classroom hours and costs that can range from several thousand dollars. For that reason the supervisor asked the committee to "go back to the way it was and require CDL license in order to apply and get the job." The supervisor said the current facility groundskeeper obtained a CDL on his own and will remain in his duties but recommended future hires be required to hold a CDL at hire.

Council also discussed creating a shell entry-level position similar to police and fire practice so the department can hire earlier and promote later, which staff said would not increase funded headcount but would allow the hiring process to be expedited. A motion to change the T.O. chart for the street division was made and passed on roll call; staff indicated two pieces of legislation would be processed to effect the changes and that implementation would not immediately change the department's funded total.

Council members emphasized the proposal aims to keep staffing flexible for snowplow/dump-truck coverage and to reduce training burden on new hires. Staff will prepare the necessary ordinance/resolution language and return the item for formal consideration at the regular council meeting.