Holiday Closure Pilot Program Recap
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
• In November 2024, the Santee City Council approved a pilot program for a Holiday Closure, allowing for the closure of Santee City Hall during the Christmas Eve and New Year
holiday period, from December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025. • 3 Regular Holiday Days
• 5 Additional Closure Days
• 2 Weekend Days
• In review 11 other cities observe a holiday closure and 5 others do not.
• Staff was directed to bring back an update on how the closure impacted operations, residents, businesses, and visitors.
Holiday Closure Pilot Program
Proposal Approved
2 • Once the closure was approved, each department undertook specific measures to ensure a smooth transition. These
included:
• Preparing essential services
• Providing information on how the closure would affect operations • Making staff available on standby for urgent matters
• A key aspect of the preparation was an extensive marketing campaign aimed at informing residents, businesses, and
stakeholders through social media, email newsletters, and signage at City Hall.
Preparation & Communication
Efforts
Holiday Closure Pilot Program Recap
3 • Following the closure, department heads submitted reports on the impact. The following observations were made:
• Minimal disruptions to services and operations
• City staff remained on standby for urgent needs
• No significant issues with lack of in-person access
• Routine services continued remotely or via digital platforms • Overall staff response:
• Appreciated the additional time off
• Came back to work refreshed
• Reduced competition for time off requests during the holidays Impact & Observations
Holiday Closure Pilot Program Recap
4 Impact & Observations
Total of 58 Service Requests via App
5 17
12 8 7
4 3 2 1 1 1 1 1
0 5
10 15
20 Request Type
Service Requests Received During Holiday Closure
Parking Code Compliance Graffiti Street Lights
Pot Hole Illegal Dumping Sidewalk Maintenance
Code Compliance Other Park Facility Maintenance
Homeless Outreach/Encampment Starlight Circle Traffic Signal Notes:
(10) of the requests were repetitive
Received ~37% fewer service requests than average during the holiday closure • 3 Voicemails on the main phone hotline – No urgent matters City Manager’s Office • 3 General Info emails – No urgent matters • 0 Voicemails City Clerk’s Office • 4 Emails (3 PRA requests & 1 passport appointment) • Several staff worked to ensure Payroll and Accounts Payable were completed Finance • No unexpected high priorities came in Human Resources • 3 Voicemails – No urgent matters
6 Department Overview
Minimal Impacts – All Items Responded to by January 3
7 •32 Permit Apps received and were followed up with by Jan 3 •57 Inspections took place during the closure by the City’s contractor and an additional 15 were scheduled during the closure Planning & Building
•Energov – No urgent matters | Review began Jan 3
•Dig Alerts – No urgent matters but did have to log in daily to check for new requests •Address issues with Popeye’s & Temporary Fire Station 20 during this time Engineering
•2 Voicemails – No urgent matters | Followed up on Jan 3 •4 Park Patrol Calls – No urgent matters, calls were addressed immediately •2 Duty Phone Voicemails – One urgent matter addressed Community Services •No interrupted services Emergency Services •Fire Admin was closed Department Overview
Minimal Impacts
2025 Calendar
Proposed Dates
8 2026 Calendar
Proposed Dates
9 • The Holiday Closure pilot program was successfully
implemented with minimal impact on services.
• Preparation and communication efforts played a key role in ensuring the public was informed.
Conclusion
Holiday Closure Pilot Program Recap
10 • Based on the results, staff recommends City Council consider making this closure a regular practice for future holiday seasons.
• City Manager & Human Resources would solidify closure dates each year as the holidays land on different days of the week.
• 2025: December 24, 2025 – January 2, 2026 • 3 Regular Holiday Days • 5 Additional Closure Days – Same as 2024
• Staff return to work Monday, January 5, 2026
Staff Recommendation
Council Consideration
11