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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/2008 STUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Ave. -REVISED- June 2. 2008 6:30 n.m. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. Call Heather Geyer, Public Information Officer at 303-235-2826 at least one week in advance of a meeting if you are interested in participating and need inclusion assistance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA, Item 1. Staff Report - Amendment to the allocation ofthe City's allocation of jurisdictional Community Development Block Grant funds Item 2. Senior Circulator Bus Pilot Program Item 3. Community Development Department Assessment STUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Ave. June 2. 2008 6:30 D.m. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. Call Heather Geyer, Public Information Officer at 303-235-2826 at least one week in advance of a meeting if you are interested in participating and need inclusion assistance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Item 1. Senior Circulator Bus Pilot Program Item 2. Community Development Department Assessment Item 3. Staff Report - Amendment to the allocation of the City's allocation of jurisdictional Community Development Block Grant funds. rrEM 1. , , 4 -~.. ~ City of . -ra:Wlieat&"dge ~OMMUNnY DEVELOPMENT Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Randy Young, City Manager FROM: Sally Payne, Senior Planner DATE: May 27,2008 SUBJECT: CDBG Allocations At a January 14, 2008 public hearing, City Council provided direction on how to expend the City's 2007 and 2008 CDBG jurisdictional allocation. The direction given was for $100,000 to go the Jefferson County Housing Authority Single Family Rehabilitation load program, $50,000 to the Senior Resource Center (SRC) towards construction of their new facility and the remainder of the funds to WR2020. The U.S. Department of Labor requires that prevailing wages, called Davis Bacon, be paid for all federally funded or assisted construction projects using CDBG funds. This requirement would apply to the $50,000 that was allocated for the SRC for their new facility. City staff worked with the County Community Development staff and the SRC to identify a project for use of the $50,000 at the SRC. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is currently making very strict interpretations regarding Davis Bacon requirements. Because of this, we were unable to identify a project that would not require Davis Bacon wages be applied to the entire new SRC facility, which can add approximately 30% to overall construction costs. Due to this, Mayor DiTullio suggested giving the SRC $50,000 out of the City's general fund and using the $50,000 in CDBG funds originally intended for the SRC towards a City capital investment project. A project currently on the City's capital project list is replacement of the HV AC at the City's Senior Center. The Parks Department, who is 't..1 .c: l'.C' 1..' . 1 ed.... 1 "'~^ ^^^' ...,..............,.....,,.. .. responSlu.e .or completion 01 tuiS prOject, 11as agre LO use the J>:JU,UUU In CUJ::SU runas for the HV AC replacement. In order to make this change in how the City's CDBG funds are being spent, the County requires a resolution from City CounciL A resolution indicating this change is currently on the agenda for the June 9 City Council public hearing. rrEM 2,. Seniors' Resource Center, Transportation Services Memorandum of Understanding This Memorandum of Understanding (MOD) between the Seniors' Resource Center, Inc. (SRC) and the City of Wheat Ridge Colorado (the City) is for the purpose of providing transportation services to qualifying individuals from senior resident centers to fixed destinations. This transportation service is anticipated to start on or about June 16, 2008. The general understanding between parties is as follows; . SRC agrees to provide a vehicle(s) for scheduled transportation service provision of two hours per day, three days per week for the "Senior Circulator" project for the City. . SRC will provide $1 million (minimum) insurance coverage for the vehicle(s) used for service covered in this MOU. ( ~ . SRC will provide a CBI equivalent background check for all drivers used for this service. ~ ~ . Transportation services will be for residents of Wheat Ridge(2ver the age of 60)from the three residence centers selected by the City, to destinations selected by them on a fixed schedule as mutually agreed. . SRC will provide door to door assistance for riders. . SRC will provide wheelchair accessible vehicles for all service days. . SRC understands that only authorized rides provided for this project can be invoiced. . SRC agrees to invoice the City at the rate of$16,000.00 for one year of the above referenced service. This established rate will hold for one full year from the start of service date. Invoices to the City will occur monthly at a rate of 1/12th of the annual amount for services. . SRC will solicit and retain donations from riders for the service but will not prevent any qualified person from riding if they chose not to provide a donation. . A thirty (30) day written notice by either party will be required to terminate this agreement. Signature / Title City of Wheat Ridge Date Signature/Title Seniors' Resource Center, Inc. Date Wheat Ridge "Senior Circulator" bus service group ~etJ\priI25,2008 City Hall Present: Mayor DiTullio, Councilwomen Langworthy, Hank Braaksma (Seniors' Resource Center), John Berkowitz (Cambridge Park) Mike Schommer (Vintage Place) Three of the five residences responded to the survey indicating a strong interest from their residents for transportation service. At least 26 individuals from the two residences represented indicated a desire or need to use the proposed circulator. Highlands was not represented, but those present felt interest from Highlands would be the greatest since there are more residents, many of whom may not drive. It was felt that once the service started, demand would increase. To go beyond the 6 hours per week additional funding would be needed. Proposal: Based on the information from the returned questionnaires, a three day per week route would be developed. Each residence would get one service day per week, using two hours of time. An examJ'le route week: Monday - Cambridge Park would have a bus arrive at the 38 avenue entrance at 9:30 and drive through the complex making three or four stops along Lee Circle and Miller Street. The bus could hold up to 12 people. The SRC driver is trained to assist the rider on and offthe bus. The driver would then go to one or two destination addresses such as Applewood (WalmartlKing Soopers) making stops to drop riders at different local businesses. The riders would have up to two hours (more if prearranged) and the bus would return to pick them up. The return ride would be to their homes and the driver would assist with packages. Wednesday the same scenario for Highlands and Friday the same for Vintage would occur. Though SRC would gather rider data to better report usage, riders would not need to call ahead as the bus would be on a regular schedule, arriving on the same day and same time each week. If advance arrangements were made, a group could use the allotted time for other destinations within Wheat Ridge, such as a group going to lunch at a local restaurant. Trips would be on a donation basis. A three day per week route, two hours per residence, would fully expend the Council approved funding of $16,000 providing 6 hours per week of service at $51.28 per hour. SRC normally bills at $75.00 per hour plus mileage for special groups. Please note that SRC Transportation Services provided over 4800 trips to Wheat Ridge residents in 2007 without local support from the city. The additional $4,000 requested could be used to replace the local funding from Wheat Ridge lost a few years ago during the cities budget crunch. The cost of providing transportation services continues to increase. Restoring $4,000 to SRC Transportations general operations helps leverage federal and county dollars allowing SRC to keep pace with rising costs. ~.J..( ~, City of -rP!:WlieatRLdge ~OFFlCE OF THE MAYOR City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Building 7500 W. 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-8001 P: 303.235.2800 F: 303.234.5924 April 2, 200S Highlands Lisa Brown, Property Manager 6340 W. 3Sth Ave. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 Dear Lisa, The City of Wheat Ridge and the Senior Resource Center (32nd & Chase St.) are weighing the pros and cons of the creation of a pilot program of a FREE "Senior Circulator" bus that would be available to pickup and drop off senior riders at locations that have a high concentration of senior residents. The City of Wheat Ridge and the Senior Resource Center would be partnering together for this program. The City of Wheat Ridge is funding the program and the Senior Resource Center is providing bus service at a reduced hourly rate. l1e following are suggested pickup locations: Pickun Pickun Location Pickun Davs .\-Valencia , Morningside , Vintage Highland West 'Highland South Cambridge - 35th/Wadsworth Blvd - 36th/Wadsworth Blvd - 3Sth Parfet St. - 3 SthlMarshall St. - 35thIMarshall St. - 3SthIMiller St. Monday/W ednesday/Friday Monday/W ednesday/Friday Monday/W ednesday/Friday Tuesday/Thursday Tuesdayffhursday Tuesdayffhursday The following are suggested drop off locations: prOD Off Dron Off Location. Wheat Ridge Recreation Center Senior/Community Center Wheat Ridge Post Office Wal-Mart Walgreens 40thfKjpling St. 35thIMarshall St. 40th/Wadsworth Blvd. 3SthNoungfield St. 32ndNoungfield St. The bus service would be Monday through Friday for two (2) hours a day, one hour for pickups and one hour for 'turns (actual drive times for the buses) and suggested times would be between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. For _Kample, a pickup could be scheduled at V al~cia at 9:45 a.m. for a drop off at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center and then the return trip back to Valencia could be I :30 p.m. (times are approximate for this example). www.d.wheatridge.co.lls Highlands Pa) b- We are requesting that you make copies of this letter and solicit comments and suggestions from your senior '. _ieighbors with the questions below: Would you use this service? YES Do you agree with the proposed Drop Off locations? YES Do you drive now to some the proposed Drop Off locations? YES Please write your comments here (other suggested drop off locations, etc.. .): NO NO NO We would like to schedule a meeting with you or your locations representative at Wheat Ridge City Hall, 7500 W. 29th Ave., on Friday, April 25th, at 3:30 p.m. to hear from you and further discuss this proposal. We want to hear from you to see if this proposal has merit. Please contact Janice Smothers, Assistant to the Mayor, at 303- 235-2815 to RSVP that you or someone from your location can attend the meeting. Please feel free to contact one ofus in the meantime with questions. 71" J~D~liO M or rJ C' of Wheat Ridge ~3.235.2800 , ~/ 7/ >/! V H' Br~a Transportation Manager Senior Resource Center 303.917.6692 ?1 T~rthy City Council, District City of Wheat Ridge 303.420.8055 cc: Wheat Ridge City Council Randy Young, City Manager Joyce Manwaring, Parks and Recreation Director Letters sent to: Cambridge Park Homeowners Association Melissa Kesler-Keithly 12265 W. Bayaud Ave. Suite 110 Lakewood CO 80228 - Vintage Place Mike Schommer, Manager 10700 W. 38th Ave. #209 Wheat Rige CO 80033 Morningside Dolores Lowery, Manager 3630 Vance St. #313 Wheat Ridge CO 80033 Highlands Lisa Brown, Property Manager 6340 W. 38th Ave. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 Valencia Condominium Homeowners Association David Wier 7801 W. 35th Ave. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 April 16, 2008 10:00 a.m. Dolores Lowery, Manager Morningside Dolores will not be able to attend the April 2.fmeeting due to vacation. She posted the notice at Morningside (referenced in the April 2, 2008 letter) and she received the following: 1 person would use the service at one of the Morningside buildings 2 people would use the service at the other Morningside building. Note: Morningside has two 79 unit buildings; total of 158 unit total Morningside is independent living and a lot of the residents still drive. Cambridge Park HOA Senior Circulator Bus Survey Results I Members that would use service I Members that would NOT use service I Members agree with-drop off locations I Members that drive to drop offlocations I Members that PO NOT drive I Members who are not Seniors 16 21 28 31 2 5 Additional Member Comments: "I am legally blind so I do not drive. The Walgreen's at 44th and Wadsworth would be a better store for me." "Include a Grocery store besides Wal-Mart" "Include Kings Soopers" "Include the library" "What if it snows or rains? Where would the pick up be at?" "I would not use the service all the time, but it would be great to have the option" "THANK YOU!" "What about a church?" "Include Safeway along with Post office on Wadsworth. Is Lutheran hospital a valid stop?" "I don't drive anymore. This service would be helpful" "I am 83 and I still drive but I would love to use this service and not have to drive" Valencia Called Friday, April 25, 2008 11: 30 a.m. Valencia Manager posted the letter with the shuttle bus information and there has been no interest. Will not be at meeting. ",~l..( ~" City of ~WlieatRLdge -Y'OFFICE OF THE MAYOR City of Wheat RidgeMumcipaJ Building 7500 W, 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-8001 P: 303.235.2800 F: 303.234.5924 April 2, 2008 Highlands Lisa Brown, Property Manager 6340W. 38lh Ave. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 Dear Lisa, The City of Wheat Ridge and the Senior R..,,,~...<: Center (3~ & Chase St.) are weighing the pros and cons of the creation of a pilot program of a FREE "Senior Circulator" bus that would be available to pickup and drop off senior riders at locations that have a high concentration of senior residents. The City of Wheat Ridge and the Senior Resource Center would be partnering together for this program. The City of Wheat Ridge is funding the program and the Senior Resource Center is providing bus service at a reduced hourly rate. The following are suggested pickup locations: . Pick>>n Piclrnn Location PieknD Davs Valencia Morningside Vintage Highland West Highland South Cambridge - 351h/Wadsworth Blvd - 36lhIWadsworthBlvd - 381h parfet St. - 3SIh/Marshall St. - 351h/MarShall St. - 3SthlMi11er St. Monday/WednesdaylFriday MondaylWednesdaylFriday MondaylWednesday/Friday TuesdaylThursday TuesdaylThursday TuesdaylThursday - , The following are suggested drop off locations: Dron Off DroD Off Location Wheat Ridge Recreation Center s"niorlComnrwrllY Center Wheat Ridge Post Office Wal-Mart Walgreens 4OlhlI{ipling St. 35th/Marshall St. 4Oth/Wadsworth Blvd. 38thIYoungfield St. 32ndIYoungfield St. The bns service would be Monday through Friday for two (2) hours a day, one hour for pickups and one hour for returns (actnal drive times for the buses) and suggested times would be between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. For ~xample, a pickup could be scheduled at Valencia at 9:45 a.m. for a drop off at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center and then the return trip backlo Valencia could be 1 :30 p.m. (times are "t'p'VAJnate for this example). www.ti~wbeatridge.co..us Highlands pg2 We are requesting that you make copies of this letter and solicit comments and suggestions from your senior neighbors with the questions below: - Would you use this service? )( YES Do you agree with the proposed Drop Off locations? )( YES Do you drive now to some the proposed Drop Off locations? YES Please write your comments here (other suggested drop off locations, etc...): NO NO Y NO We would like to schedule a meeting with you or your locations '''l'.""lmtative at Wheat Ridge City Hall, 7500 W. 29th Ave., on Friday, April2S&, at 3:30 p.m. to hear from you and further discuss this proposal. We want to hear from you to see if this proposal has merit. Please contact Janice Smothers, Assistant to the Mayor, at 303- 235-2815 to-RSVP that you or someone from your location can attend the meeting. Please feel free to contact one ofus in the meantime with questions. Dtfu lio orU C' of Wheat Ridge 3.235.2800 f/;~d/V- H~~a Tran..pv. ;..;jon Manager Senior Resource Center 303.917.6692 cc: Wheat Ridge City Council Randy Young, City Manager Joyce Manwaring, Parks and Recreation Director Letters sent to: Cambridge Park Homeowners Association Melissa Kesler-Keithly 12265 W. Bayaud Ave. Suite 110 Lakewood CO 80228 - Vintage Place Mike Schommer, Manager 10700 W. 38& Ave. #209 Wheat Rige CO 80033 Momingside Dolores Lowery, Manager 3630 Vance St. #313 Wheat Ridge CO 80033 Highlands Lisa Brown, Property Manager 6340 W. 38& Ave. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 Valencia Condominium Homeowners Association David Wier 7801 W. 35& Ave. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 ~ ~ AZ~4'e?tt~ _ ~;;;,e~d~.d/~/~ ~J~~~/~~./~~. --4i/ (l~~'!'./~~~k/-C'~.('''/;;~ ~~ ~~~.&~~~~~.,U?!& , dt!~~a/~/J/JA~~ ~4/~A:hA/;,a~..7.A.:v~../Yn?~ . "~.c~9f.;/. 71h#j4 ~.&' h0 ..a~J.2;) ~dJ CJ-:Ieo/: _ ~ 4JU#t'u# A/r//J~LL~~ ..zzv.~~~ ~~~p~. ~M/f~ ~#. c;2,kL44/~A'~a/~ .~~ ~ ~/~.d:'~~2" &~ a:e-""" ' /3772 ~A/ :It:a.d';?/~/r ~/..,~.t.~tl<<.> ~/.~ ~V4 ~d~.db ~) d p.:x;/.Ie 3~a~h ~./ad ~ ~~b-AV ~~..a~ ZAv A;f ~L/.-i~ czr .3'.ri~a~ %Gk.t+~ , VJ!~AjcV4e'k~_h~at:~a-.c..t~ ~<~L~ :d:u:-~ .,Lc4L/...ib ! ~-ne;k.e4n / tk'k. a~lff:d/- 4,~';tf /ff.kkZJ #"7...a/~AfkL~ 1hI~ ~.tt/~ tb ffi,Z/5 ~/~~/ Page 1 ofl Janice Smothers From: kerry ewald [ewaldk31@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:50 PM To: Janice Smothers Subject: Senior Circulator Bus Meeting Hi Janice- I am the community liaison for LiveWell Wheat Ridge. I was wondering if you had any RSVP's from property managers at local senior housing complexes for the upcoming meeting on April 25th. It sounds like a great opportunity for seniors to obtain transportation in Wheat Ridge at a reduced cost. Is there any chance one of the drop off locations could be at a local grocery store? Kerry Kerry Ewald, Community Liaison LiveWell Wheat Ridge (303)358-4096 between 0000-00-00 and 9999-99-99 4/15/2008 ITEM 3. ~ ~ "y ... City of "ra"Wh tB49 YOFFlCE OF THE Cc;:;.~ANAGE~ ge ~~ Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Randy Young, City Manager FROM: Patrick Goff, Deputy City Manager DATE: June 2, 2008 SUBJECT: Incr-ease in Hours for Purchasing Senior Staff Assistant and Reclassification to Purchasing Technician The City's part-time Senior Staff Assistant to the Purchasing and Contracting Agent has resigned effective May 30,2008, Retention of this position has proven to be difficult due to a number of reasons including the limited hours and salary level. In addition, the current classification of this position has made it difficult to recruit for candidates with the appropriate level of education and experience for the technical nature of this position, This position was originally classified as a full-time Purchasing Technician before the budget reductions of2002 and 2003, Through attrition, this position was eliminated in 2004 and reauthorized in 2006 as a part-time (0,5 FTE) Senior Staff Assistant. An increase in hours from 0,5 FTE to 1,0 FTE and a reclassification from Senior Staff Assistant to Purchasing Technician would have a budget impact of approximately $11,000 for salary and benefits in fiscal year 2008, This request will be brought forward for City Council consideration at a future City Council meeting along with the annual mid-year market adjustments to the City's employee compensation plans, Attached is a memorandum from Linda Trimble, Purchasing and Contracting Agent, with further details on this reljuest. i> A <I ,,~ v ... . City of ra"WheatJ349ge ~DMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Memorandum TO: Randy Young, City Manager FROM: Linda Trimble, Purchasing Agent DATE: May 15, 2008 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR A PURCHASING TECHNICIAN POSITION Reauest: This is to request an upgrade of the' current Sr Admin Assistant position for the Purchasing and Contracting Division to a Purchasing Technician and increase the weekly hours to forty (40) hours, Issue: The current position is for a Sr Admin Assistant who works a total of twenty (20) hours a week, The current person in this position has submitted her resignation, The reasons are lack of hours and lack of pay, A year ago, this position was vacant again, Retention of this position is extremely difficult due to the limited hours, pay, workload and deadlines, Workload: This position is responsible for a variety of detailed duties, see attachment. It involves purchasing knowledge and experience, accounting, purchasing card, clerical and customer service, The Purchasing and Contracting Division is busy year round, In addition, the Purchasing Agent's position conducts and attends several meetings most that are outside of city hall, This office can not run efficiently without a good technical, knowledgeable, and reliable person to assist the Purchasing Agent. Historv: Eight years ago the Purchasing office had a full-time Purchasing Agent and Purchasing Technician. Two years later and the results of cut backs this office was reduced to the Purchasing Agent only. The workload never really decreased, A few tasks were delegated to other positions however not enough to really make an impact. Until two years ago, this office was a "one person shop" All that was basically accomplished were the bids to meet the demands of the departments, It has been difficult to accomplish any yearly department goals, Updating the Purchasing Manual, establishing service contracts and many other special projects that would give the City "cost savings" are on hold, I have worked many additional hours during the week and on weekends to maintain a positive image and provide excellent customer service from this office, I believe that is reflected in the comments received from the directors and other staff, I work smart to keep the city out of the media and to make all the processes transparent. I take a lot of pride in what is produced from this office for the departments, vendors and other groups, However most of the time it is overwhelming to keep at this pace. Retention: It is very difficult and almost impossible to hire a person with even minimal qualifications and experiences, yet alone for the hours and pay. In the past I've hired persons without some of the needed requirements, It then requires extensive time and training, a minimum of eight months, I really don't mind the training if the "fit" is a good one, However, I do not have any control over the hours and pay, which is the biggest problem, Solution: Approve this request for a Purchasing Technician, forty hours a week and increase pay schedule. The City of Wheat Ridge is growing and developing in many positive ways, Please consider this request as part of developing staff. This addition to the Purchasing and Contracting office will result in a higher level of service, best practices, knowledge and efficiency, Thank you kindly for reviewing this request I am available to further discuss at your convenience. ..,,\,j... .'~ City of ~~Wheat&"-dge ~OFFlCEOfTHE Orr MANAGER X~5 ...... Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council ~ Randy Y oung, ~tyManager FROM: DATE: May 27, 2008 SUBJECT: Community Development Department Organizational Structure Assessment Attached is the final report of the "Organizational Structure Assessment of the Community Development Department" dated May 15, 2008 from The Mercer Group, Inc. Mr. Steve Egan will be present at the June 2, 2008 study session to review the report in greater detail with the Mayor and City CounciL The 2006/2007 Strategic Plan included a management study and performance audit of the Community Development department as an action item to further the goal of Creating a Sustainable City Government. The focus of the study was to assist the City Manager to address the following questions: 1. What is the ideal organizational structure for the next decade? 2. What is working and what is not working well with the current structure? 3. What structure (or structural options) would result in improved service and greater outcome efficiencies? 4. What strategies might be considered to best utilize staff to improve customer satisfaction and achieve set goals? 5. What "best practices" can be considered in relation to optional organizational structures? 6. What cost saving measures could/should be considered? Although this study was originally initiated in May 2007, the final report was delayed due to a long-term illness suffered by Mr. Egan. (See attached report from Randy Young dated February 13,2008 and letter from Thomas Dority, Senior Vice President of The Mercer Group, Inc. dated Februa..-j 8, 2008). The 2006/2007 Strategic Plan also included a management study and P",i'vHuance audit of the Parks and Recreation department as an action item. Mr. Egan will be meeting with Joyce Manwaring on June 2nd to review the draft report of the "Organizational Structure Assessment of the Parks and Recreation Department." A final report will be presented to City Council in the near future. >1, ~. _ y City of . -~Wheat~dge ~OFf[CE OF THE CrlY MANAGER . Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council Randy Youug, ~nager FROM: DATE: February 13, 2008 SUBJECT: The Mercer Group Organizational Assessments ATTACHMENT: Letter from Thomas Dority, Senior V.P., The Mercer Group, Inc. Please find attached a letter from Thomas Dority, Senior Vice President with the Mercer Group, Inc. As you are aware, The Mercer Group is currently conducting our organizational assessments of our community development and parks & recreation programs. All of the fact finding and personal interviews needed for these assessments where completed shortly before the end of 2007. Steve Egan had then begun compiling all the information into final reports which where anticipated to be completed by the end of February. However, as Mr. Dority's correspondence indicates, Mr. Egan has faced a "challenging illness" the last several months and they will not be making that timeline. I will keep you apprised as soon as we can reestablish a new realistic timeline for completion and presentation to City Council. Thank you for your patience and as Mr. Dority states our "compassion" regarding this unfortunate situation. As always, please feel free to call with any questions regarding this matter. 11~\ "~.i.. r L1t~ The Mercer Group, Inc. Consultants To Management 4520 W. l-F SIred Drive Greeley. CO 80634 (970) 378-1781 FAX (970) 378.1831 E~mail: lomdority@comcast.net February 8, 2008 G. Randolph Young City Manager City of Wheat Ridge 7500 W. 29'" Avenue Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 VIA Email: rvounl!falci.wheatrid".e.co~us Dear Mr. Young: On behalf of The Mercer Group, Inc., I must apologize for our continued delay in completing the reports from our organization assessment of the community development and parks & recreation programs. I know that you are aware of the challenging illness that Steve Egan has struggled with throughout the midwinter, and we greatly appreciate your compassion for that. Clearly, you have also been diligent in your correspondence with Mr. Egan and me in order to move our study ahead to conclusion. Steve has completed so many similar studies promptly and very successfully, and he remains at the center of this work. I have worked with him for well over a decade on many studies and learned about both his expertise and his diligence in this work. His other team members are also highly qualified consultants whom I admire. They have prepared their parts of the study for Steve to assemble in final reports, findings and recommendations. I am afraid that none of us is in the position to complete those final reports better or sooner than Steve is, and I am no less confident in his ability to do that in a way that the City of Wheat Ridge will be proud of. Steve has informed you and me today of his medical program to regain his good health and to return to the Wheat Ridge reports as his flfSt priority. He has indicated that he can review now the community development materials at any time with your staff and complete the parks & recreation materials within about 10 working days, I must ask again for your patience as he wraps this up. Please be assured that we accept full responsibility for this continued delay and pledge that a valuable set of findings and recommendations will result. Sincerely, THE MERCER GROUP, INC. I;'-~. /J .,' / /'C..J"V\ "-:::-L77/ C ThomasC.Dority . ....,~~ Senior Vice Presidimt . \.....---" CC: James L. Mercer Steve Egan FLORIDA' A1LANTA . NORTIlCAROUNA' MICHIGAN' SANTAFH . COLORADO. TEXAS 'CALlFORNIA