CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
Policy Governing Policy No. Effective Date Page
Council Guidelines 000-9 February 3, 2010 1 of 4
I. AGENDA PACKET PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION
1. Agenda packets will be prepared and distributed in accordance with PGMC 2.04.050 and the Ralph M. Brown Act. However, the deadline for agenda submittals may be sooner to account for any scheduled workdays off that are necessary for publishing and distribution.
Publishing/distribution of the agenda packet to Council is by email notification (preferred) unless otherwise instructed.
2. The goal is to have a complete agenda packet at the time of its distribution. If, however, staff receives substantiating information, reports, proposed emergency ordinances and other such information to the Council after packet distribution, including at the time of the Council meeting, staff may provide this material, so long as the public is correspondingly informed and is given access in accordance with the Brown Act.
3. Nothing contained in this policy shall prevent the normal flow of legally permissible information from staff to the Council needed to keep the Council informed.
II. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES
PGMC Chapter 23.86 Public Meeting and Hearing Procedures shall be adhered to.
Action on Coastal Development Permit applications require adherence to PGMC 23.90.070 CDP application public notice and hearing.
For public hearings involving a quasi-judicial determination by Council the following procedure applies:
1. Council Ex parte communication is disclosed.
2. Staff provides a report on the public hearing item, including correspondence.
3. Public hearing is opened.
4. The applicant or appellant of the item shall be allocated a maximum of 10 minutes to speak. If a single designated spokesperson is provided to the City Clerk, in advance of the meeting, names of persons who request the spokesperson to speak on their behalf, such persons being 10 or greater in number, that single spokesperson shall be allocated an increased amount of time to speak, not to exceed an additional 10 minutes.
5. If a single designated spokesperson in opposition is provided to the City Clerk, in advance of the meeting, names of persons who request the spokesperson to speak on their behalf, such persons being 10 or greater in number, that single spokesperson shall be allocated a maximum of 10 minutes to speak.
6. Public speakers other than the applicant or appellant or designated spokesperson will each be allocated a maximum of 3 minutes or less to speak, whether in support or opposition.
7. Applicant or appellant of the item shall be allocated a maximum of 5 minutes to speak on rebuttal.
8. Opposition spokesperson shall be allocated a maximum of 5 minutes to speak on surrebuttal.
9. Public hearing is closed.
10. Council dialogue is followed by motion to adopt findings and decision.
III. RECOGNITION BY CHAIR
All persons, including members of the Council, wishing to speak shall first be recognized by the Chair.
IV. APPEAL HEARING
PGMC Chapter 23.74.050 (d) Processing of appeals and call-ups Actions and Findings shall be adhered to.
PGMC Chapter 23.90.100 Appeals of CDP decisions shall be adhered to for Coastal Development Permit application appeals.
PGMC Chapter 12.70 Appeals shall be adhered to for tree decisions.
The Council shall hold a hearing de novo on appeals. A de novo hearing on appeal is not dependent on the record of the body from which an appeal is taken. Evidence is taken, witnesses appear and statements are made, all without regard to whether precisely the same evidence, witnesses and statements were recorded at the hearing below. Thus, although the Municipal Code decision on appeal from the Architectural Review Board) full, de novo consideration of the issue.
Failure of the Council to reverse, uphold, or uphold with modifications the action appealed or called up, results in the Beautification and Natural Resources Commission or Planning Commission action standing as decided. (Such failure would occur, for example, in the event of a Council tie vote.)
V. APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL COMMITTEES
From time to time, the Council may see fit to appoint an ad hoc committee. When a Council committee is appointed, the Mayor will assign a maximum of three Council Members.
The Mayor designates the Council Member to serve as Committee Chair. In the event of a change in Council or committee assignments, the senior member of the Council will serve as Committee Chair. If there is a Council-Planning Commission committee, a member of the Council shall serve as Chair for the group.
VI. VOTES REQUIRED FOR ACTION
Article 15 of the Charter provides that four affirmative votes of the Council are necessary to adopt ordinances, resolutions, or claims against the City. Except as specified elsewhere, it is also Council policy that all actions of the Council (except those calling for five votes, such as urgency ordinances) require the affirmative vote of four members, irrespective of the number in attendance when an action is taken.
VII. BROWN ACT PROCEDURES
The City Council operates in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act). The City Attorney shall provide training and written materials on the Brown Act.
ORDINANCE NO. 23-____
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE
AMENDING THE SALARY SCHEDULE TO ADD THE PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE
TECHNICIAN CLASSIFICATION
Findings
1. Staff is recommending adding a new Property and Evidence classification to the salary schedule; and
2. This new classification is responsible for receiving, transporting, verifying, storing, recording, safeguarding, releasing and disposing of evidence, including firearms, and other property booked into Police Department; and
3. This work has historically been performed by a Police Services Technician with specialized skills; and
4. The salary schedule amendment seeks to establish salary ranges for Property and Evidence Technician; and
5. Amendment to the salary schedule classification plan must be adopted by the City Council pursuant to Pacific Grove Municipal Code (PGMC) Section 4.20.280; and
6. In the enactment of this ordinance, the City followed the guidelines adopted by the State of California and published in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000, et seq. Enactment of this ordinance action does not constitute a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment pursuant Section 15378.
Ordinance
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE:
SECTION 1. The foregoing findings of the City Council are incorporated into this Ordinance as if set forth in full.
SECTION 2. The position classification plan approved and adopted by the City Council pursuant to PGMC § 4.20.280 is amended to add the Property and Evidence Technician classification.
Classification Step Step Step Step Step Step Step
Property and Evidence Technician 1A 2B 3C 4D 5E 6F 7G
Hourly Salary Rate 28.01 29.41 30.88 32.43 34.05 35.32 36.65 SECTION 3. The City Manager is directed to execute all documents and to perform all other necessary City acts to implement this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. In accord with Article 15 of the City Charter, this ordinance shall become effective on April 19, 2023.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE this _____ day of April 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
APPROVED: ________________________ BILL PEAKE, Mayor
ATTEST: _________________________________ SANDRA KANDELL, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: _________________________________ BRIAN PIERIK, City Attorney
Property and Evidence Technician
Classification/Job Description
SUMMARY:
Under general supervision, to receive, load, transport, verify, store, record, safeguard, release and dispose of evidence and other property booked into Police Department and maintain related property records, and perform related work as required.
The Police Property and Evidence Specialist handles a broad range of confidential and sensitive records, maintains the integrity and security of criminal evidence, including the handling of hazardous and bio-hazardous substances in a variety of containers and packaging.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodation will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Receives property and evidence, documents receipt, maintains the physical integrity and control and the chain of custody, and physically stores property and evidence in the designated property and evidence areas.
Prepares evidence for submittal to the District Attorney’s Office, outside law enforcement agencies or labs for analysis; including packaging, securing, and preserving evidence items, preparing required forms, and submitting forms with evidence.
Coordinates with crime laboratories; determines and justifies which evidence to refer; prepares and transports evidence including weapons, narcotics, and biological specimens for analysis and processing by others.
Manages digital evidence system, including recordings from body worn cameras, in-car cameras, surveillance footage and photographs; ensures files are properly maintained, processes duplication requests from the District Attorney’s Office and responds to Public Records Act requests.
Releases and purges property and evidence following appropriate Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; prepares evidence and property for auction and/or disposal upon completion of court proceedings.
Acts as liaison to the court and other offices requiring the transmission of property and evidence; prepares evidence for officers and investigators for court proceedings; maintains records and tracks such actions.
Releases property to the public; prepares the proper paperwork and prepares evidence for pick-up; completes the necessary reports and documentation for release.
Performs difficult, complex, technical and/or specialized administrative work that requires the exercise of independent judgment, the application of technical skills, and a detailed knowledge of the activities and procedures specific to the Police Department.
Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, receipts, and specialized documents such as property claim letters to citizens, and other correspondence.
Performs general oversight of the Department's equipment and supply function, to include issuing and receiving equipment and other supplies to Department personnel, making equipment and supply purchases, and maintaining inventory records.
Supports the relationship between the City of Pacific Grove and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with community members, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
Acts in a lead capacity through cross-training, developing, scheduling, and designating property and evidence-related tasks to secondary assigned staff person; trains department staff on best practices and safety protocols.
Works in the Police Records Unit as needed and performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent; AND two years of work experience in a law enforcement agency; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Knowledge of:
City policies and procedures.
Criminal codes, vehicle codes, and municipal codes.
Policies, rules and regulations governing property and evidence management.
National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) quality and security standards for police records.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements for handling and disposing of evidence with blood borne pathogens, infectious diseases, and other related body fluid contamination.
Principles and practices of confidential records management, and file maintenance.
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including police records management systems, data tracking, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Procedures for the collection, processing and packaging of evidence.
Skill in:
Interpreting and explaining standards and protocols for maintenance, analysis, release and disposal of property and evidence.
Analyzing technical issues, evaluating alternatives, and making recommendations based on findings.
Proper handling of property and evidence, including firearms and narcotics.
Explaining Federal and State rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
Dealing tactfully and courteously with the public.
Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers and members of outside agencies.
Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
Conducting audits and inventories.
Property and evidence guidelines and procedures.
Use computers for word processing and information storage and retrieval.
Organize, research, and maintain technical and administrative files.
Enter data into a computer system and prepare written materials with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Licensing and Certification:
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
A valid California State Driver's License is required.
Terminal Operator Certification for access to NCIC/CLETS is required within thirty days of employment.
Ability to complete Property and Evidence Management training through the International Association of Property and Evidence; California Property and Evidence Association; or California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) within eighteen months of employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is in a standard office environment and occasionally in the field. Required to handle firearms and narcotics. Exposure to strong unpleasant odors, infectious bio-hazardous materials such as blood, urine and semen; dust, pollens, chemical irritants; toxic substances; evidence that may be disturbing such as homicide evidence. Ability to lift and carry moderately heavy and bulky items.
Must be able to pass a law enforcement background investigation. Must be willing to work extended shifts or be called back in emergency situations and work with exposure to difficult circumstances.