RESOLUTION NO._______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN ADDITIONAL TRANSIT SUPERVISOR POSITION TO ENSURE ADEQUATE SUPERVISORY OVERSIGHT DURING SERVICE OPERATIONS AND MEET ONGOING COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE-MANDATED CLASS "B" TRAINING REQUIREMENTS WHEREAS, the transportation department's current staffing structure includes two (2) transit supervisor positions that oversee day-to-day operations. Transportation operates from 4:30 am to 10:30 pm, seven days a week. During FY24, the transit supervisors' classification changed to exempt, and they work 40 hours per week, totaling 80 hours per week between both positions. However, transportation service hours operate 18 hours daily, which equates to 126 hours per week. As such, that leaves 46 hours per week where no transit supervisor is on duty, leaving service operations unsupervised and WHEREAS, historically, to have adequate supervisory coverage while buses are in service, the supervisors and dispatchers work overtime to mitigate the coverage gap. A breakdown of the overtime (OT) expenditures over the past few years related to the gap in coverage is referenced below. Data Source: Accounting Payroll Records in Logos Supervisor Annual OT Hours
Dispatch Annual OT Hours
Total OT Cost @ Time and a Half Pay Rate
FY 2019
1559.56
504.16
$134,938.74
FY 2020
1136.98
784.21
$117,687.00
FY 2021
1209.42
383.51
$104,297.60
FY 2022
1346.75
358.75
$112,974.06
FY 2023
1805.50
592.01
$156,605.13
TOTALS
7058.21
2633.64
$626,502.53
Note:
The average OT expenses to cover the gaps in supervisory coverage is ($626,502.53 / 5) = $125,300.50 annually. It should be noted that effective FY24, as part of the classification study, the Transit Supervisor position changed to an Exempt employee status and is no longer eligible for OT.
WHEREAS, adequate supervision is critical to transportation's overall success. Lack of supervision increases the City's liability and exposure in the event of an accident, emergency, and/or fatality. Some of the essential responsibilities and benefits of a supervisor on duty are as follows:
Observe transit operations to maintain safety and report and document observations.
Establish effective professional relationships with subordinates through communication and coaching techniques.
Receive, investigate, and resolve complaints about Bus Operators and take necessary steps to correct them.
Notify and receive information and instructions from Dispatchers of any emergencies or changes in operations.
Observe and monitor the safe operation of vehicles by riding with operators and correcting operators on proper procedures.
Counsel operators for violations of Operating Procedures and/or City Policy.
Observe conditions of routes for obstructions or unsafe conditions.
Respond to accidents, including interviewing witnesses, taking necessary pictures, and preparing reports.
Investigate patron complaints or other problems between operators and the public.
Research and develop alternative routes for emergencies, road closures, and other special service situations.
Perform dispatcher duties as needed.
Prepare posts and remove notices to customers at bus stops throughout the system.
Decide for post-accident and reasonable suspicion DOT drug testing.
Perform additional related duties and/or cover open assignments as needed; and WHEREAS, Over the years, transportation has administered all classroom and behind-the-wheel training using our seasoned bus operators and supervisory staff. This training-by-committee concept worked to the best of our ability; however, per recent changes in DMV protocol, training can only be provided by a trainer certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and registered in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) database. Only one supervisory staff member is certified and available to provide classroom/behind-the-wheel training. DOT has a waiting list for individuals to participate in the next available Train-The-Trainer Program. The City of Commerce Transit is on the waiting list, and WHEREAS, Due to the ongoing operational demands, our one certified supervisor often gets pulled away during training exercises to deal with urgent operational matters, which frustrates existing and new hire employees. Additionally, the constant interruption in training prolongs the time to meet the required mandatory 40 hours of classroom and 8 hours of in-service renewal training. Based on employee feedback, the frequent delays and interruptions in training give the perception that training is not a priority. Furthermore, existing staff frequently request and document additional training opportunities during their annual performance evaluation process. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate the additional training request in most cases due to a lack of personnel and WHEREAS, experienced Bus Operators also benefit from ongoing and consistent training. Refresher training includes updating and evaluating employees' skills, emerging safety issues, service needs, and post-accident retraining. Additional training topics consist of winter driving to/from Camp Commerce, frequent safety reminders, problem-solving for customer service challenges, training on new equipment added to the fleet, and basic Spanish phrases for routine communications with passengers with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) as required per FTA, Title VI; and WHEREAS, based on the City's historical Formula Allocation Procedure (FAP) and projected 16% increase in revenue allocations for FY25, the proposed personnel recommendation is sustainable. Furthermore, City of Commerce Transit has $1,664,434 in emergency revenue reserves. The reserve funds can absorb unforeseen operational costs as needed. As such, the recommendation for the additional Transit Supervisor position can be absorbed into transportation's annual operating budget and have no additional impact on the City's General Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Commerce hereby finds and declares that the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and incorporates them herein as findings and as a substantive part of this Resolution.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Commerce hereby approves the recommendation for an additional Transit Supervisor position for the Transportation Department.
Section 3. The Mayor is authorized to execute this Resolution for and on behalf of the City of Commerce.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 27th day of August 2024.
Hugo A. Argumedo, Mayor
Attest:
Lena Shumway, City Clerk