Report Prepared by: Stephanie Dietz, City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Requests for Approval of Additions and Deletions to Positions and a Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $122,957 in Fund 558-Refuse Operations
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff seeks approval of additions and deletions to positions and a Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $122,957 in Fund 558-Refuse Operations.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the addition of an Economic Development Manager, an Economic Development Associate, and the deletion of an Economic Development Director in the Economic Development Department; and,
B. Approving the addition of a Human Resources Manager, a Human Resources Technician I, and the deletion of a Human Resources Director in the Human Resources Department; and,
C. Approving the addition of a Management Analyst and the deletion of a Senior Management Analyst in the Development Services Department; and,
D. Approving the addition of two Refuse Equipment Operator I and one Container Maintenance Worker in the Public Works - Refuse Division; and,
E. Approving a Supplemental Appropriate from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance of Fund 558 - Refuse Operations in the amount of $122,957 due to the costs associated with recommendation D above; and,
F. Provide Staff direction to proceed with the Civilian Fire Marshall recruitment; and,
G. Approving Resolution 2021-97, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending the classification plan by updating the personnel allocation in the Economic Development Department by deleting one Economic Development Director position and adding one Economic Development Manager position and one Economic Development Associate position; the Human Resources Department by deleting one Human Resources Manager Position and one Human Resources Technician I position; and the Development Services Department by deleting one Senior Management Analyst Position and adding one Management Analyst position; and the Public Works Department by adding two Refuse Equipment Operator I positions and adding one Container Maintenance Worker position; and,
H. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make the necessary budget adjustments.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended; or
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion; or
3. Deny; or
4. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 1105.
DISCUSSION
Over the course of the last six months, promotions and retirements have provided an opportunity to assess the organizational structure within the City of Merced. Two areas of operations have been evaluated: the Economic Development Department and the Human Resources Department. Each of these departments currently fall under the general direction of either the City Manager or the Deputy City Manager. To better balance the span of control assigned to Director-level positions, staff are recommending that the following changes be made:
Economic Development Department
• Deletion of one Economic Development Director position (estimated annual cost $162,342) and addition of one Economic Development Manager position (estimated annual cost $146,573)
• Addition of one Economic Development Associate position (estimated annual cost $98,408)
Human Resources Department
• Deletion of one Human Resources Director position (estimated annual cost $187,549) and addition of one Human Resources Manager position (estimated annual cost $146,573)
• Addition of one Human Resources Technician I position (estimated cost $78,233)
The City Manager and Deputy City Manager will continue to oversee the Human Resources Department and the Deputy City Manager will continue to oversee the Economic Development Department, allowing for the continuity of training and succession planning to take place as both areas fill vacant positions.
In addition to the above changes, staff are also requesting that the following deletions and additions be made to better align staffing needs with existing projects and to accommodate an increase in workload related to faster than anticipated growth to residential refuse services:
Planning Division
• Deletion of one Senior Management Analyst position (estimated annual cost $137,851) and addition of one Management Analyst position (estimated annual cost $109,069)
Refuse Division
• Addition of two Refuse Equipment Operator positions (estimated annual cost $78,066 each, totaling $156,131)
• Addition of one Container Maintenance Worker position (estimated annual cost $89,782)
Fire Marshall Position
With the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2021/22 Budget, the civilian Fire Marshall position was created to support the continued Fire Prevention needs of the community and to work part-time (40%) on the proposed Rental Inspection Program. With the Council choosing not to implement the Rental Inspection Program, staff have held off on filing the existing vacancy. Although the program will not be implemented, there is still a need within the Fire Department to hire the Fire Marshall position to support the continued plan review and on-site inspections for new residential and commercial developments throughout the year.
The adopted budget included the Fire Marshal position for 6 months ($61,242) assuming the Rental Inspection Program would begin in January 2022, 60% being funding out of the Fire Prevention Program and 40% being funded by the Rental Inspection Program. The annual cost of the Fire Marshal is estimated to be $122,483. Staff is seeking approval to move forward with the hire and to evaluate the support needed by development fees for the position. If Council chooses to move forward with the position, a vehicle will need to be purchased, and is currently allocated within the Fire Department’s budget.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Economic Development Department, Human Resources Department and Development Services Department have sufficient salary and benefit savings to accommodate the requested change in positions for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
Funding is available within the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget to fund the Fire Marshal position for six months and a vehicle.
A sufficient unreserved, unencumbered fund balance in Fund 558-Refuse Operations is available to appropriate the needed funds. Moving forward, service revenue related to the increase in residential accounts is sufficient to support the increased positions.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2021-97