From: Kate Haug
To: Mary Gourley
Cc: Kathy Oetinger; Fernandez, Evert
Subject: Hire More City Staff Not Homeless Outreach Coordinator - Public Comment Items 6 and 10 - June 21, 2022 Date: Monday, June 20, 2022 10:47:08 AM
Dear Council Members,
In reviewing all the Agenda Items for the 6/21/22 meeting, it seems clear that Council needs to address staffing shortages in the City Administration.
Item 6, from the Planning Department, requests money for an SSU Intern to help alleviate part of the workload that the Planning Department faces due to a lack of staff. The Planning Department is a crucial division within the City, overseeing both planning and all the parks.
These are vital functions for all members of our community and crucial in terms of not only building but regulating local land use items such as short term rentals.
It seems that instead of spending $75,000 per year on a homeless outreach coordinator, a position that could be paid for by the County, that Council should be looking to hire a City Planner.
In addition, our City Engineer is also on contract and not a City employee.
Council should fill these vacancies before expending tax money on positions which service an extremely small and limited part of the County population.
Best regards,
Kate Haug