STAFF REPORT
City Council Business Item
DATE: February 3, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Heather Leigh Stevens, Parks and Recreation Director THROUGH: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Approve the Transfer of 11 Hours per Week from Recreation Part-Time to Transit Part-Time Allocation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the transfer of 11 hours per week (572 hours per fiscal year) from Recreation Part-Time to Transit Part-Time allocation.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Fortuna Parks and Recreation Department operates a transit system for seniors and disabled citizens. Fortuna Transit buses operate M-F 8:30am to 4pm with calls for rider scheduling beginning at 8am. Currently, a dispatcher is needed to schedule rider appointments and dispatch drivers during this timeframe. Part-time transit dispatch hours are currently allocated at 29 hours a week (1500 hours per fiscal year).
Historically, the Parks and Recreation Transportation/Recreation Administrative Supervisor position provided direct transit support and supervision. In the last year, the position was dissolved and replaced with an Administrative Assistant II. Leaving the majority of dispatching duties to one part-time Transit Dispatch/Office Assistant. With the upgrade to CivicRec software for program registration and rental reservations, and the transition of management of the Monday Club to the Parks and Recreation Office, the Parks and Recreation administrative functions have expanded. Further, with the mandated reduction of part-time staff weekly maximum hours from 29 to 27, as well as considering the need for transit dispatch coverage 40 hours a week, M-F 8am-4pm, additional part-time hours are needed in the Transit Division to ensure trained coverage and customer responsive service.
Due to restructuring the staffing schedule for camp programs (including the addition of a new part-time classification allowing for seasonal full-time hours) and increased involvement by full-time staff in the functions of the Recreation Division, there has been significant savings in part-time hours. Part-time Recreation Division hours for July-December 2023 were 5,256.5.
At the close of Fiscal Year 23-24, Recreation Division part-time hours were below budget by 278.25 hours. Total current part-time Recreation Division hours for July-December 2024 are 4,240.5. We are continuing to realize reduction in Recreation Division part-time hours.
Staff recommend the transfer of 11 part-time hours per week (572 hours per fiscal year) from Recreation to Transit to ensure dispatch coverage during transit operating hours. The increase in 11 part-time hours per week added to the current allotment of 29 hours per week will allow Business Item 5h
Business Item 5h
for two part-time positions (20 hours per week) to ensure cross-training, dispatch coverage and transit support.
Additionally, staff has begun to explore opportunities to reduce transit staffing demands, ways to leverage technology to streamline dispatch processes, strategies to meet fare box requirements and opportunities for increased funding sources to meet California vehicle requirements. Efforts will continue through discussions with Humboldt Transit Authority. Plans are being explored for a Parks and Recreation Study Session with Council, as well as the creation of a Transit Ad Hoc Committee, for a more in-depth review of Transit operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The transfer of 572 hours for fiscal year 2024-25 from the Recreation Leaders position allocation to the Transit/Office Assistant position allocation results in no overall fiscal increase. The Recreation Leader is paid 100% from the General Fund while the Transit/Office Assistant is paid 40% from the General Fund and 60% from the Transit Fund. However, no Supplemental Budget Request is needed due to salary savings for fiscal year 2024-25 in the Transit Fund.
Additionally, as stated above the Administrative Assistant II is taking on more duties outside of Transit and therefore the amount charged to the Transit Fund is under review. This could ultimately offset the increase to the Transit Fund. The results of this review will be included into the FY 2025-26 budget and shared with Council during the budget process.
COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Receive staff report and review questions with staff
2. Open Public Comment
3. Close Public Comment
4. Motion to approve the transfer of 11 hours per week (572 hours per fiscal year) from Recreation Part-Time to Transit Part-Time allocation. Voice vote.