CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: October 18, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Charles E. McNeely, Interim City Manager
Suzie H. Soren, Director of Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Subject: Strategic Initiatives – Approving Job Classifications and Amending the Salary Schedule
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California adopt Resolution No. 2023-157:
1. Establishing the Park Ranger Supervisor classification;
2. Establishing the Park Ranger classification;
3. Establishing the Ombudsperson classification;
4. Establishing the Legislative & Governmental Affairs Manager (U) classification;
5. Establishing the Deputy Director of Animal Services (U) classification;
6. Establishing the Veterinary Assistant classification;
7. Amending the salary for Deputy Director of Parks, Recreations and Community Services (U);
8. Amending the salary for Police Personnel & Training Technician;
9. Retitling the Agency Director classifications; and
10. Amending the City-wide salary schedule for full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal positions.
Executive Summary
These actions are the continuation of the strategic initiatives established at the May 2023 Mayor and City Council three-day workshop retreat (“Retreat”). Follow-up meetings included further discussion and direction, resulting in the establishment of new positions and classifications as outlined above and described in detail below.
Background
The Mayor and City Council held a three-day Retreat beginning on May 11, 2023, where goals and priorities for the City of San Bernardino were defined. At the Retreat, economic development opportunities and city staffing priorities, among other topics, were discussed.
On June 30, 2023, a special workshop (“Workshop”) was held to address the Council’s goals and priorities. The Workshop was informational only and allowed staff to present a series of strategic initiatives and other programs and proposals for the Council’s future consideration. During the Workshop, the Council expressed concern regarding the reoccurring costs of the strategic initiatives and the impact that a potential reduction in consumer spending may have on the City’s ability to fund these ongoing costs.
Additionally, Council inquired about the viability of closing vacant positions and re- allocating their budgets to fund the strategic initiatives.
On September 12, 2023, staff presented a follow-up to the Workshop addressing the concerns and provided an analysis of the City’s economic forecast, position control, and a comparative analysis of other cities. The presentation contained the addition of several new positions and proposed establishing new position classifications within several departments. As such, staff will be recommending a total of 10 new position classifications and updating 4 position classifications. Outlined below are some of those changes with additional classification updates to be presented in a subsequent council meeting. Classification and compensation studies were conducted to determine the salary ranges of the new classifications. Considerations of the City’s current salary schedule was also contemplated.
Discussion
Quality of Life- Park Ranger Program
The Park Ranger Supervisor will be a classified position in the Middle Management bargaining unit, responsible for supervising, assigning and participating in the work of staff performing a variety of specialized Park Ranger duties in support of the City’s parks and park facilities; this position will be in salary range 480, $5,386-$6,546/month.
The Park Ranger will be a classified position in the General bargaining unit, responsible for patrolling parks and grounds to promote park safety and to enforce City rules, codes, and policies; this position will be in salary range 397, $3,563- $4,331/month.
These classifications will promote a culture of exemplary customer service in the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous, and respectful in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
One Stop Shop
The Ombudsperson will be a classified position in the Management/Confidential bargaining unit, responsible for facilitating the processing of new development plans for review and permitting and providing dispute resolution related to compliance with government codes and regulations; this position will be in salary range 518, $6,368- $7,740/month.
This classification will serve as the primary point of contact between city staff and city developers and residents while working closely with departments and outside agencies to maintain efficient and effective progress toward the permitting and public hearing process.
Legislative Affairs
The Legislative & Governmental Affairs Manager (U) will be an unclassified position in the Management/Confidential bargaining unit, responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and implementing the development and implementation of the City's legislative and governmental affairs program; this position will be in salary range 593, $9,257-$11,252/month.
This classification will act as a liaison with local, state, and federal legislative bodies, communicate the City's position on legislative matters, and act as a liaison between the City and other governmental agencies or public entities on issues of governmental relations.
Strategic Staffing – Animal Services
The Deputy Director of Animal Services (U) will be an unclassified position in the Management/Confidential bargaining unit, responsible for assisting the Director of Animal Services in managing, directing, and integrating the functions, programs, and activities of the Animal Services Department; this position will be in salary range 619, $10,538-$12,810/month.
The Veterinary Assistant will be a classified position in the General bargaining unit, responsible for assisting licensed veterinary staff and other animal care professionals in providing animal care, treatment, and welfare services to the public; this position will be in salary range 400, $3,617-$4,396/month.
These positions will play an important role in the operations of animal services including veterinary care, field enforcement, shelter care, licensing and immunization, and administrative services.
Strategic Staffing – Parks, Recreation and Community Services The Deputy Director of Parks, Recreations and Community Services (U) is an established classification within the City‘s Salary Schedule. However, it is currently range 612 as the position has not been utilized for some time. Staff recommends placing the classification at range 629, $11,078-$13,465/month.
This position will play a critical role in making recommendations relative to the operation, maintenance, construction, and protection of public parks, parkways, buildings, and grounds.
Other Considerations - Police Personnel & Training Technician A salary survey was conducted at the request of the Police Department for the Police Personnel and Training Technician classification. The study included local agencies with comparable classifications. It was determined that the Police Personnel & Training Technician salary is significantly below the average market salary. Staff recommend raising the salary from Range 430, $4,201–$5,058/month, to Range 461, $4,792– $5,825/month. By doing so, this classification will reflect a more competitive range, and will assist the City in attracting qualified candidates and retaining those currently employed.
Agency Director Titles
The Agency Director titles will be changed as follows (see Attachment 3):
Agency Director of Public Works, Operations and Maintenance New Title – Director of Public Works, Operations and Maintenance Agency Director of Community, Housing and Economic Development New Title – Director of Community, Housing and Economic Development Agency Director of Administrative Services
New Title – Director of Finance and Management Services As changes are made to salaries or classifications, the City is required to adopt a revised salary schedule in a public meeting. The attached salary schedule meets the California Public Employees Retirement System’s (CalPERS) pay rate reporting requirements in accordance with Government Code Section 20636 defining “Compensation Earnable” and the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 570.5.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Establishing the proposed classification and amending the salary schedule aligns with Key Target No. 2: Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community by enabling the City to improve service delivery and function more efficiently.
Fiscal Impact
There will be sufficient salary savings within the Police Department to cover the cost associated with the increase of the Personnel & Training Technician’s salary. There is no other impact to the General Fund as costs were previously approved by the Mayor and City Council on September 12, 2023 and formally adopted and the budget amended on October 4, 2023.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California adopt Resolution No. 2023-157:
1. Establishing the Park Ranger Supervisor classification;
2. Establishing the Park Ranger classification;
3. Establishing the Ombudsperson classification;
4. Establishing the Legislative & Governmental Affairs Manager (U) classification;
5. Establishing the Deputy Director of Animal Services (U) classification;
6. Establishing the Veterinary Assistant classification;
7. Amending the salary for Deputy Director of Parks, Recreations and Community Services (U);
8. Amending the salary for Police Personnel & Training Technician;
9. Retitling the Agency Directors classifications; and
10. Amending the City-wide salary schedule for full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal positions.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Resolution 2023-157
Attachment 2 Resolution 2023-157; Exhibit A – City-wide Salary Schedule Attachment 3 Slide 56, Re-Title Agency Directors, Strategic Initiatives Presentation to Council, 6-30-2023
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
October 4, 2023 Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-147 amending the City-wide salary schedule for full-time, part- time, temporary, and seasonal positions.