The mission of the Grounds Department is to provide a safe, aesthetically appealing learning environment in a sustainable manner.
The Grounds Department consists of 6 grounds technicians and the supporting tools and equipment to maintain the grounds of the District.
The following are goals from the previous strategic plan and program review and the current status:
• Provide recommendation to the District for fire prevention.
• Provide technician training to increase skill levels, productivity, efficiency and safety. Continuing.
• Optimize workforce assignments and schedules for efficiency and productivity. Ongoing.
• Make use of vendors, consultants, volunteers, and other low or no-cost sources of assistance. Ongoing.
• Continue to upgrade irrigation equipment for greater efficiency and renovate landscape areas to minimize water usage and labor effort. Ongoing.
o Review and propose turf areas for remediation. Ongoing.
• Develop a tree maintenance and replacement program using native trees. Plan is complete and implementation has started.
• Remove trees as necessary due to hazardous conditions. Ongoing.
• Continue equipment and vehicle replacement programs. Ongoing.
• Employ and train students. Provide internships whenever possible. Ongoing.
• Provide recommendation to the District for fire prevention. Ongoing.
Strategy 1 - Workload Analysis
Optimize workforce assignments and schedules for efficiency and productivity.
Season and workforce changes often require shifting of employees assignments to achieve optimum efficiency.
Strategy 2 - Outside Resources
Make use of vendors, consultants, volunteers, and other low or no-cost sources of assistance.
Many outside entities are capable and willing to provide services to the District at low or no cost, thus maximizing the departmental budget.
Strategy 3 - Equipment Replacement
Continue equipment replacement program.
All equipment has a finite life and will eventually need to be replaced. Proactive planning for this replacement will allow better decision making and an orderly process. Current replacement value of equipment is approximately $200K with the average expected life is 12 years.
Strategy 4 - Training
Provide technician training to increase skill levels, productivity, efficiency and safety. Document and report on training.
Grounds activities are increasingly more complex, requiring higher levels of training for technicians. Documentation and reporting allows systematic scheduling of the needed training.
Strategy 5 - Vehicle Replacement
Continue vehicle replacement program. Evaluate usage of electric vehicles for on-campus maintenance needs.
For intercampus usage, electric vehicles provide a safer, less intrusive and more sustainable means of transportation for grounds maintenance activities. Current replacement value of vehicle fleet is $60K with the average expected life of 6 years.
Strategy 6 - Safety and Aesthetics
Provide a safe and aesthetically appealing learning and teaching physical environment for the campus.
The District grounds are vital in providing a safe aesthetically pleasing environment for teaching and learning.
Strategy 7 - Tree Master Plan
Continue with the tree maintenance program and develop a Tree Master Plan for the campus.
A comprehensive tree replacement program is needed to ensure the safety of the campus users, reduce water consumption and maintain maximum solar production capability. A campus wide Tree Master Plan would be developed and approved through the participatory governance process. Phase I of this plan will be completed by fall 2020.
Strategy 8 - Water Conservation
Continue to upgrade District-wide irrigation systems and renovate District landscape to minimize water usage and labor effort.
A more efficient irrigation system reduces water usage contributing to the overall sustainability of the District. Renovation District landscape with native plant material and no/low water tolerant plants reduce water usage contributing to the overall sustainability of the District. These systems also increase the efficiency of the workforce.
Strategy 9 - Continue to Analyze Water Usage
Continue to analyze water usage data and install water meters as the opportunities arise.
Continue analysis of water usage will allow informed decision making regarding budgeting and water system repair and maintenance.
Strategy 10 - Student Employment/Internship
Employ and train students and promote internships whenever possible.
Research has shown that students who are employed on campus have a much higher rate of success in their academic careers.
Strategy 11 - Staffing Level
Increase the staffing level in Ground Maintenance.
Additional Grounds staff is required due to the increased regulatory requirements for the creek diversion system and storm water monitoring, testing and reporting; additional care requirements for all athletic fields; and increased landscape maintenance at the off campus centers as a result of increased transient population. Additionally, increased hardscape has resulted in additional workload for the Grounds staff, along with the addition of the developed 15 acres, Athletic Parking Lot, Welding & Manufacturing Building, Kinesiology & Athletic Performance Center and Press Box, and Hammer Throw area.
Strategy 12 - Evaluate Classifications
Evaluate Grounds job classifications to ensure a match with District needs and requirements.
The current job classifications are old and in need of updating.
Strategy 13 - Asphalt Preventive Maintenance Program
Assist with the implementation of the asphalt preventive maintenance program.
There is a large amount of paving on the campuses. This pavement is subject to wear and needs maitenance and eventual replacement. This program will extend the life of the pavement and forecast funding needs.
Need assistance from Human Resources to evaluate current job classifications.
None
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Grounds Maintenance | Personnel | 110002101655000 | 52130 | $0.00 | $63,388.00 |
| Hire One Grounds Technician I (12 months/40 hours) | Additional Grounds staff is required due to the increased regulatory requirements for the creek diversion system and storm water monitoring, testing and reporting; additional care requirements for all athletic fields; and increased landscape maintenance at the off campus centers as a result of increased transient population. Additionally, increased hardscape has resulted in additional workload for the Grounds staff, along with the addition of the developed 15 acres, Athletic Parking Lot, Welding & Manufacturing Building, Kinesiology & Athletic Performance Center and Press Box, and Hammer Throw area. |
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| 2 | Grounds Maintenance | Operating Expenses | 110002101655000 | $50,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Tree Removal and Replacement Program | This is phase 2 of 4 to remove and replace hazardous trees with native trees. |
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| 3 | Grounds Maintenance | Operating Expenses | 110002101655000 | 55200 | $0.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Training | Grounds activities are increasingly more complex, requiring higher levels of training for technicians including the new storm water prevention plan program. No-cost training is available but doesn't fulfill all of the requirements. |
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