CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: January 17, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Charles A. Montoya, City Manager
Suzie H. Soren, Deputy City Manager
Department: Human Resources
Subject: Side Letter Agreement with Various Bargaining
Groups Regarding Hazard Pay
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2024-028, authorizing the City Manager to execute side letter agreements with various bargaining groups regarding hazard pay.
Executive Summary
This action is the continuation of the strategic initiatives established at the May 2023 Mayor and City Council three-day workshop retreat (“Retreat”). Council approved hazard pay for employees permanently assigned to the encampment cleanup crew in the Public Works Department. Staff is now requesting approval from Council to execute the side letter agreements with the General Unit and Middle Management.
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.
On September 12, 2023, staff presented a follow-up to the Workshop and provided an analysis of the City’s economic forecast, position control, and a comparative analysis of other cities. The presentation expanded upon the City’s Quality of Life tools and services to improve the City’s appearance, cleanliness, safety, and attractiveness for its residents, businesses, and the development community, among other items.
Discussion
The City’s Public Works Encampment Cleanup Crew comprises two (2) Maintenance Supervisors, two (2) Lead Maintenance Workers, and eight (8) Maintenance Worker I employees. The positions on this crew will be eligible for Hazard Pay as they will be handling cleaning the City’s parks and other public spaces of hazards and biohazards relating to homeless encampments.
Permanently assigned employees to this crew will receive Hazard pay in the amount of $200/week ($400 bi-weekly). The attached side letter agreements reflect the following details:
•Any Public Works employee who is permanently assigned to the encampment cleanup crew will receive additional bi-weekly pay. The additional pay will not be prorated. Whenever permanent cleanup crew employees work overtime on another shift, their hourly pay will include the additional bi-weekly pay. •Any non-permanent cleanup crew employees who work overtime on a cleanup crew shift, will only be paid at their regular rate of pay (no additional hazard pay). •The Department, by memo, will inform Payroll which employees are permanently assigned to the encampment cleanup crew and should receive the additional weekly pay. In addition, the Department will inform, by memo, Payroll when removing an employee from the assignment. Permanent is defined as working fourteen (14) days or more.
•Hazard pay is not considered to be CalPERS reportable income. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Authorizing the City Manager to execute side letter agreements regarding hazard pay with the City’s various bargaining groups aligns with Strategic Target 2: Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community. Specifically, Goal a: Build a culture that attracts, retains, and motivates the highest quality talent.
Fiscal Impact
There is no further General Fund impact associated with this item. $93,600 was appropriated during the approval of the Hazard Pay as part of the Strategic Initiative meeting in October 2023.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2024-028, authorizing the City Manager to execute side letter agreements with various bargaining groups regarding hazard pay.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Resolution 2024-028
Attachment 2 – Exhibit ”A” - Side Letters
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
September 12, 2023 The Mayor and City Council approved hazard pay for encampment cleanup crew staff members for an authorized staffing level of two (2) Maintenance Supervisors, two (2) Lead Maintenance Workers and eight (8) Maintenance
Worker I employees.