1 David Yakobson
From: Kevin McKeown <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2024 12:36 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Jesse Zwick; Oscar de la Torre
Subject: Item 5-D -- caution on temporaries
EXTERNAL
Consistently, over many years, our pre-2020 Councils moved City hiring pracƟces away from “as-needed” and temporary workers bereŌ of benefits, bringing those duƟes “in-house” where jobs were stable and employees and their families were respected with medical and other support. I point to those jobs we created without regret, even though it was on my watch as Mayor in 2020 that the COVID revenue collapse forced us to let go many, many of our best workers.
Now, with economic recovery just beginning and money sƟll scarce, it may make sense to plug holes in City services with out-sourced and temporary workers, as recommended by staff in consent calendar agenda item 5-D. Yes, I’m saying that urgent needs in Plan Check, and Building and Safety, may jusƟfy hiring temps, for now.
The red flag that brought me to the keyboard is near the end of the staff report:
> The cost of temporary staffing will be offset by vacancy savings… Please don’t let an urgent but temporary need undo years of work by previous Councils. Vacant City employee posiƟons should be filled as soon as possible with qualified new City employees, not used to jusƟfy a slush fund that semipermanently pays for temporary, as-needed, or out-sourced workers.
Please affirm publicly, so staff hears you as you vote for 5-D, that you are making a jusƟfiable excepƟon to ongoing City policy calling for as much work as possible to be done by true City employees, who are appropriately rewarded and respected for their service to our community..
Thanks,
Kevin
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K e v I n M c K e o w n
hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩp://www.mckeown.net__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!vtUkp_MB1uCqHbev15nykSQbIi15gUYJ He9NmY7vhjPHX_QLdJyjTtRxZWLxqvDdW3QV_oWyqGCvRfUwnKrlaW_xFns$ Choose to be conscious
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Item 5-D
February 27, 2024
Item 5-D
February 27, 2024