HomeMy WebLinkAboutS21 - Planning Department ReorganizationCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. S21
January 8, 2008
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Planning Department
David Lepo, Planning Director, 949 -644 -3285
dlepo@city.newport-beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: Reorganization of Planning Department
ISSUE:
Should the City Council reorganize the Planning Department by deleting two Senior
Planner positions and adding a Planning Manager position and a Principal Planner
position?
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) Approve the reorganization of the Planning Department by deleting two Senior
Planner positions and adding a Planning Manager position and a Principal Planner
position;
2) Approve a budget amendment transferring $16,595.00 from the unappropriated
General Fund reserve to the Planning Department's salary and benefits account No.
2710 -7000.
INTRODUCTION:
A preliminary study completed by the Human Resources Department in 2007 indicated
that Senior Planners in Newport Beach have the same or greater responsibilities as
higher -level Principal Planners and Planning Managers in other Orange County cities.
The study also showed that salaries in the professional planner series in Newport
Beach should be adjusted upward. Salary adjustments will be proposed as part of the
2008 -2009 fiscal year budget process. We are requesting the reorganization of the
Planning Department through deletion of two Senior Planner positions and the addition
of a Planning Manager position and a Principal Planner position in advance of the
budget process so that we can retain experienced and valuable senior staff.
Planning Department Organization
January 8, 2008
Page 2
DISCUSSION:
In July 2007, the Human Resources Department conducted surveys of Planning
Department positions in order to determine the City's competitiveness in the labor
market. Among the Human Resources Department findings is that the organizational
structure of Newport Beach's Planning Department differs from that of many other
planning agencies. Unlike other planning agencies, the City's Senior Planners report
directly to the Planning Director. Other Orange County planning agencies have
management positions such as a Principal Planner and Planning Manager between
Senior Planners and the Planning Director.
Additional supervisory responsibilities have been assumed at the Senior Planner level in
the past year. Implementation and interpretation of policies of the General Plan and
Coastal Land Use Plan have increased the complexity of plan review and case
processing at all levels within the Planning Department. This has required expanded
and more intensive supervision of less- experienced planners by staff at the Senior
Planner level. The experience and knowledge of incumbent Senior Planners has been
invaluable to this effort and to the successful, on -going implementation of the planning
program set forth in the General Plan and Coastal land Use Plan.
In addition to, the expanded supervisory responsibilities, Senior Planners in Newport
Beach may also be required to perform management -level functions typically assumed
at the Principal Planner or Planning Manager level:
■ Represent the City to community organizations and to other agencies including
the California Coastal Commission, the County of Orange, CalTrans;
• Assist in preparing and monitoring the Department budget, assessing the need
for additional resources, and preparing and monitoring consultant contracts;
• Serve as the acting Planning Director in his /her absence.
In recognition of the increased responsibilities and the need to retain qualified
personnel, we recommend reorganization of the Planning Department through deletion
of two Senior Planner positions and the addition of a Planning Manager position and a
Principal Planner position.
FUNDING:
The estimated cost of salaries and benefits attributable to the proposed reorganization
for the remainder of this fiscal year is approximately $16,595.00. The net annual
increase for the reclassifications for the next full fiscal year 2008 -2009 is estimated to
Planning Department Organization
January 8, 2008
Page 3
be $39,900. Staff recommends a budget amendment to provide the necessary funds
from the unappropriated General Fund reserve.
Prepared by:
DAVID LEPO
Planning Direc r
Attachments: Budget Amendment
Submitted by:
SNARONVOOD
Assistant City Manager
City of Newport Beach NO. BA- 08BA -039
BUDGET AMENDMENT
2007 -08 AMOUNT: $1s,s9s.00
EFFECT ON BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE:
Increase Revenue Estimates Increase in Budgetary Fund Balance
X Increase Expenditure Appropriations AND Decrease in Budgetary Fund Balance
Transfer Budget Appropriations No effect on Budgetary Fund Balance
SOURCE:
from existing budget appropriations
from additional estimated revenues
X from unappropriated fund balance
EXPLANATION:
This budget amendment is requested to provide for the following:
To increase expenditure appropriations from General Fund unappropriated fund balance to reclass two Senior Planner
positions.
ACCOUNTING ENTRY:
BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE
Fund Account Description
010 3605 General Fund - Fund Balance
REVENUE ESTIMATES (3601)
Fund /Division Account
EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATIONS (3603)
Division
Number
2710
Account
Number
7000
Account
Number
7425
Account
Number
7373
Account
Number
7439
Account
Number
7440
Division
Number
Account
Number
Division
Number
Account
Number
Signed:
Signed:
Description
Description
Planning - Administration
Salaries - Miscellaneous
Medicare - Fringe
Compensated Absences
PERS EE Contribution
PERS ER Contribution
Approval: Administratio6 Services Director
Manager
Amount
Debit Credit
$16,595.00
$13,631.58
$197.66
$477.11
$1,021.00
1,267.65
Automatic System Entry.
/ -3 —go2?
Date �/
d O O
Date
Signed:
City Council Approval: City Clerk Date