Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: EDDIE MANFRO, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES PREPARED BY: EDDIE MANFRO, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
LAURA GIANNETTI-MERCER, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER II
SUBJECT: CLASSIFICATION PLAN UPDATE FOR ASSET MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, ASSISTANT PLAN CHECK ENGINEER – ENGINEERING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY REHABILITATION INSPECTOR, SEWER SUPERVISOR AND WATER QUALITY SPECIALIST
SUMMARY
Proposed personnel classification plan amendment to establish Asset Management Coordinator, Assistant Plan Check Engineer – Engineering, Economic Development Manager and Housing and Community Rehabilitation Inspector positions, revise Sewer Supervisor classification and reinstate Water Quality Specialist classification.
PROPOSED MOTION
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-XXX.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXX – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, REINSTATING, ADOPTING, UPDATING AND DELETING CERTAIN CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS IN THE PERSONNEL CLASSIFICATION PLAN AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2023-052 (FULLERTON MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES FEDERATION) APPENDIX A AND RESOLUTION NO 2023-053 (FULLERTON MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION) APPENDIX A
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed motion
Do not adopt resolution
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the proposed motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The City Manager recommends approval.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
The annualized Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 fiscal impact for Asset management Coordinator, Assistant Plan Check Engineer – Engineering and Water Quality Specialist classifications totals approximately $82,000. The prorated cost for the remainder of FY 2024-25 totals approximately $41,000 as City will not fill the vacant positions until 2025.
The Adopted FY 2024-25 Water (Fund 44) and Sewer Fund (Fund 23) Operating Budgets for Public Works have sufficient funding for the proposed changes.
This Economic Development Manager and Housing and Community Rehabilitation Inspector positions generate no fiscal impact to the Community and Economic Development Department.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Public Works
The Public Works Department evaluated departmental organization and changed staffing resources to align with operational needs and functions within the department.
Asset Management Coordinator
Public Works determined that the City requires Asset Management Coordinator positions to effectively manage and maintain its extensive infrastructure and public assets. Local municipalities must have strategic oversight of assets such as streets, traffic signals, sewer and water systems and public facilities. Asset Management Coordinators track, maintain and optimize City assets for long-term sustainability. These positions integrate essential maintenance data with geospatial system software using Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). This expertise in data-driven information would assist decision-making and improve maintenance operations efficiency, extend asset life cycles and reduce costs, ensuring effective public resource management.
This item proposes revising the Public Works Personnel Summary as follows:
eliminate one Public Works Analyst (Water Systems Management) eliminate one Sewer Program Specialist
add two Asset Management Coordinators.
Staff proposes establishing the Asset Management Coordinator classification and assigning it to salary range 490 ($86,054 - $109,830) which equals the Public Works Analyst salary range and approximately 49% higher than Sewer Program Specialist.
An incumbent fills the Public Works Analyst position, performing duties similar to the proposed Asset Management Coordinator. Reclassifying the incumbent to Asset Management Coordinator laterally moves the incumbent to a classification that more clearly identifies the work performed. The Sewer Program Specialist position is vacant and would not affect any current employees.
Assistant Plan Check Engineer – Engineering
Public Works requested establishing an Assistant Plan Check Engineer – Engineering position and reclassify a budgeted Public Works Analyst assigned to General Engineering and the budgeted Water Technical Design Specialist position to this new classification. These positions review engineering permits, conduct plan checks and perform inspections to comply with federal and state regulations, the Fullerton Municipal Code and city standards. Key responsibilities include reviewing grading, building, traffic, public utilities (e.g. water, sewer, storm drain, street lighting) plans and reports and encroachment permits from franchise utility companies such as Southern California Edison, SoCal Gas Company, AT&T and Charter Communications. The reclassified position would provid permit issuance oversight, ensure accurate and efficient processes and offer critical staff training and supervision. Additionally, this position would help standardize procedures, improve service delivery and seek areas for operational improvement. The Assistant Plan Check Engineer – Engineering would safeguard permit fees, provide technical expertise and resolve complex permitting process issues. The department needs this position to maintain permitting system integrity, enhance customer service and improve overall operational efficiency, given the intricacies of modern development and the need for interdepartmental coordination.
This item proposes revising the Personnel Summary for Public Works as follows:
eliminate one Public Works Analyst (General Engineering) eliminate one Water Technical Design Specialist
add two Assistant Plan Check Engineers – Engineering.
Staff proposes establishing the Assistant Plan Check Engineer- Engineering classification and assigning it to salary range 490 ($86,054 - $109,830) which equals the Public Works Analyst salary range and approximately 29% higher than Water Technical Design Specialist.
The City last revised the Sewer Supervisor classification specification in 2005. Staff recommends updating the qualification guidelines and special requirements and removing outdated language to reflect current industry practices and enhance the City's ability to attract qualified candidates for future recruitment efforts. The existing classification specification mandates a valid Collection Systems Maintenance Certification Grade III. Staff surveyed other municipalities prior to the most recent recruitment and discovered minimum certification requirements for Sewer Supervisor positions vary widely from city to city, with no consistent or standardized guidelines in place. Additionally, the state does not mandate certification for this position, leaving cities with discretion over their requirements.
The proposed revision would provide flexibility to adjust certification levels based on specific needs and staffing conditions at the time of recruitment. This flexibility allows the City to adapt to changes in workforce demands and attract candidates with the appropriate qualifications as well as remain competitive in the job market removing constraints from outdated, irrelevant or overly rigid certification requirements.
This item proposes no change to the salary and generates no fiscal impact.
Water Quality Specialist
Staff inadvertently removed the Water Quality Specialist classification from the classification plan on December 19, 2023. Staff requests reinstating this position retroactive to December 19, 2023 and placing in the same salary range in effect at the time of removal. This action has no fiscal impact.
Community and Economic Development
Economic Development Manager
City Council created the Economic Development Manager / Principal Planner position in December 2021, combining planning and economic development responsibilities under one role. This dual-function position ensured planning strategies closely align with economic development efforts, integrating long-range plans such as the General Plan and Specific Plans with city business and redevelopment initiatives. The individual hired for this position has transitioned to the department director role, leaving the position vacant. Reclassifying this position to a dedicated Economic Development Manager would enable the City to prioritize economic initiatives, including small business support, workforce development and public-private partnerships while collaborating with city planning functions. The reclassification follows with the recent approval of an additional economic development staff member to increase capacity to achieve City economic goals.
Staff proposes establishing the Economic Development Manager classification and assigning it to salary range 665 ($119,815 - $152,919) which equals the Economic Development Manager / Principal Planner salary range. This item would have no fiscal impact.
Housing and Community Rehabilitation Inspector
The City last revised the Housing and Community Rehabilitation Inspector specification in 2014. The incumbent retired in 2018 and the position remains vacant. The Director of Community and Economic Development would like to initiate a recruitment to fill this vital and budgeted position.
Staff updated language to reflect current duties and responsibilities and changes in terminology. Staff does not propose any salary change and therefore this item has no fiscal impact.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft Resolution No 2024-XXX
Attachment 2 – Sewer Supervisor Classification Specification (Redline) Attachment 3 – Housing and Community Rehabilitation Inspector Specification (Redline)
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Classification Plan Update
September 17, 2024 - Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 2