For City Council Meeting [January 9, 2024]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Henry Garcia, Interim City Manager
FROM: Shama Curian, Director of Human Resources/Risk Management
Title
Request City Council to Approve the Position Allocation Plan to reclassify one Assistant to The City Manager position, in the City Manager’s Office, to Assistant City Manager.
Body
BACKGROUND
During his time serving as Interim City Manager, Henry Garcia had an opportunity to evaluate the City’s current staffing model, department workloads, customer interface, and industry trends to identify operating efficiencies and economies of scale. As a result of this critical review and approval from the City Council on his observations, the Interim City Manager is proposing a reorganization to better distribute support services and to fit the needs of the City. Based on the Interim City Manager’s critical review, it is recommended that the existing Assistant to the City Manager’s position that is currently housed in the City Manager’s Office, be reclassified to Assistant City Manager.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Currently, there are nine departments with the respective department heads reporting directly to the City Manager. Under this current model, the City Manager position is not strategically oriented; rather the position is reactionary to the organizational structure, including the allocation of resources. Instead of focusing on City Council strategic priorities, the City Manager’s position is divided in nine directions, including the Utilities Division. With the City Council vision, including the anticipated population and business growth, there continues to be new development opportunities. The current staffing model is not consistently ideal to the responsiveness of residents and businesses resulting in stagnation. The result is for the City Manager to focus divided attention among competing priorities throughout City Hall.
Table 1.
*The Police Department, Fire Department, and Management Services Department will continue to report directly to the City Manager
As illustrated in Table 1, the proposed organizational chart will have the utilities division and seven departments aligned and reporting directly to the two Assistant City Managers. The Police and Fire Departments will continue reporting directly to the City Manager due to public safety needs that often require City Council notifications.
The proposed reorganization reclassifies the Assistant to the City Manager to an Assistant City Manager position. Both Assistant City Managers will maintain focus on providing direct support to the City Manager. Both Assistant City Managers will assist in implementing City Council policies while working cohesively with department heads to provide strategic direction and oversight of work efforts. This reorganization and reclassification are intended to ensure that all department functions are adequately supported, and that projects, including work efficiencies are prioritized. The Assistant City Managers will direct staff in a consistent manner in support of City Council initiatives.
The reclassification of the Assistant to the City Manager to an Assistant City Manager position will occur with the attached Resolution. This reclassification will facilitate and support a smooth transition for the incoming City Manager by allowing the incumbent to focus, identify, and prioritize key initiatives that will support the continued growth of the City, through the City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed actions do not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(b), a project does not include organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
“Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsible manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and approves this staff report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The recommended action does not authorize any additional positions, as one existing, budgeted, and filled position in the City Manager’s Office will be reclassified to Assistant City Manager. The reclassification does not net additional costs, as cost savings have been realized elsewhere in the City Manager’s Office Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Position Allocation Plan to reclassify one Assistant to The City Manager position, housed in the City Manager’s Office, to Assistant City Manager.