City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: September 19, 2022
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Acting City Manager
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Closure of Offices for Winter Holidays
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to close City offices from December 23, 2022, through January 2, 2023.
BACKGROUND
The approved City holiday schedule includes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. For the last five or more years, City Hall, the Police Station and the Public Works Corporation Yard have been closed from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day without much inconvenience to the public. For the upcoming holiday, City offices would be closed seven days (Friday, December 23 through Monday, January 2).
City staff will use vacation and/or compensatory time for the four non-holiday days for this closure.
Emergency services and shift employees will remain on the job during this office closure.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Staff scheduling is improved if everyone takes holiday vacation at the same time. Some employees will use their accrued “comp time” earned for overtime, while others will use vacation time for the four nonholiday days this year.
Staff will check the main office phone messages daily and respond to inquiries on December 26 through December 30. Public Works standby personnel will handle utility connects and disconnects during this time. The monthly water/sewer utility payments will not be affected as we are extending the due date for November bills to January 3 (normal deadline would be December 27).
AGENDA
ITEM
15 If the City Council approves this holiday closure, staff will receive notice as soon as possible.
City Hall, the Police Station and the Public Works Corporation Yard would be closed if this is approved.
This closure would not affect Police, Fire or Public Works emergency response. This also does not affect holiday recreation programs.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: This approach to the holiday vacation time is centered on a family-friendly work environment. Staff is still committed to providing quality service while allowing employees to use accumulated vacation time.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: This request will not increase cost. This use of resources is a coordinated effort to continue providing excellent services while improving employee vacation scheduling.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: This program is cost-effective use of employee hours. Vacation time accumulates and there is limited time to coordinate coverage while others maintain core functions.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No X N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment Yes No X N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain:
ALTERNATIVES
Alternative 1. The City Council could determine this closure is too disruptive to the public and deny the request. Staff will coordinate holiday vacation requests should this alternative be chosen.
Alternative 2. The City Council could modify the request and maintain some staff at City Hall to keep the doors open. Staff will coordinate efforts should this alternative be chosen.
BUDGET IMPACT
There should be no budget impact for this closure.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to close City offices from December 23, 2022, through January 2, 2023.