CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: February 26, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-24 AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A SIDE LETTER OF AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PLEASANT HILL AND THE MANAGEMENT
PAY PLAN (MPP) ADDING THE CLASSIFICATION PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR TO THE PLAN
SYNOPSIS
The City is continuously seeking ways to better manage operations and streamline staff work.
After the announcement of two retirements in the Engineering Division, Human Resources staff looked closely at the functions in Public Works areas, including Engineering and Maintenance.
Staff is seeking Council’s authorization to create a new classification in the Management Pay Plan to streamline the reporting structure for the City Manager and merge the two Public Works divisions into one cohesive department. This classification will manage all City engineering and maintenance functions and will report directly to the City Manager.
Adoption of the proposed resolution would authorize the City Manager to execute a side letter of agreement between the City of Pleasant Hill and the Pleasant Hill Management Pay Plan Group (MPP) adding the classification Public Works Director to the compensation plan.
DISCUSSION
Background
As part of the City’s routine recruitment and selection process Human Resources staff reviews the organizational structure and job classifications with the hiring manager prior to moving forward with a recruitment. There are typically simple formatting and legal updates to be made to the job description, and sometimes, but far less frequently, changes to the organizational structure are recommended. In this case, two management-level employees in the Engineering Division announced their retirements within a short period of time. When reviewing the division’s needs and overall organizational structure with the hiring manager, there was an opportunity to streamline reporting and place the Engineering and Maintenance divisions within one department.
Further, staff noted that these two divisions typically work collaboratively within a Public Works Department, and Public Works Director is a common title in municipal government. The addition of this classification will streamline the City Manager’s direct reports; couple the two stand-alone divisions under one Public Works Department; and provide an additional department head to act during the City Manager’s absences.
Analysis
The proposed job description was sent to the MPP representatives for review and consideration.
The MPP did not have any objections to the proposed new classification or salary range. The proposed new classification will provide for streamlined management and reporting of the Engineering and Maintenance divisions.
FISCAL IMPACT
The adoption of the proposed resolution and the execution of the side letter of agreement will not have a fiscal impact, as it will replace the currently budgeted but vacant Community Development Director/Assistant City Manager in the budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution, which authorizes the City Manager to execute the side letter of agreement.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
The City Council could decline to adopt the proposed resolution and direct staff to maintain the status quo.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Exhibit 1 - Side Letter of Agreement with Classification and Salary Range Changes Job Description
Prepared by: Ericka R. Mitchell, Chief Human Resources Officer Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager