Title
Adopt an ordinance: 1) dissolving the Resource Management Agency; 2) creating two new departments - Housing & Community Development Department and Community Services Department; and, 3) authorizing other actions to implement the ordinance including certain fiscal actions and amending the County Code.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance: 1) dissolving the Resource Management Agency; 2) creating two new departments - Housing & Community Development Department and Community Services Department; and, 3) authorizing other actions to implement the ordinance including certain fiscal actions and amending the County Code.
SUMMARY:
On September 15, 2020, the Board introduced, waived reading, and set for adoption on September 29, 2020, an ordinance that: 1) dissolved the Resource Management Agency; 2) created two new departments - Housing & Community Development Department and Community Services Department; and, 3) authorized other actions to implement the ordinance including certain fiscal actions and amending the County Code. A copy of the ordinance as introduced is enclosed as Attachment A, and a copy of the Board Report for that action is enclosed as Attachment B.
DISCUSSION:
As the Board is aware, the proposed Ordinance is one step in the process to implement the comprehensive study conducted by Citygate. This process includes 76 Citygate recommendations for implementation, plus additional steps and modifications proposed by the CAO on September 15, 2020. Citygate recommended many changes to the Resource Management Agency (RMA) to continue improvement in providing public services. Foundational recommendations from Citygate include transforming RMA into two new departments, identifying the structure and functions for each new department, and appointing leaders for the new departments. According to the timeline for implementation presented by Citygate, these foundational steps are intended to be completed by December 31, 2020.
The implementation timeline has many additional implementing steps to be completed by December 31, 2020, as well as the remaining 76 recommendations over the next year. In order to move promptly, we scheduled the effective date for the new departments for November 30, 2020, since the new departments should be in place for other recommendations to get effectively implemented. We also thought it was important to have the new department heads appointed now to help determine in which department the many functions and staff will be located before the November 30 go live date.
As indicated previously, the current RMA Director will be appointed Director of Housing & Community Development (HCD). The recruitment for the position of Community Services (CS) Director will close on September 28, 2020 and an appointment is expected soon thereafter. Prior to and during the Board Meeting of September 15, 2020, SEIU raised concerns about the location of the Environmental Services unit (ES), including stormwater and floodplain management programs. Board Members also had a few issues with ES, Housing staff numbers, and the Administrative Services unit. Over the next two months, we will take full advantage of the flexibility and powers found in the proposed Ordinance to engage the department directors, other staff and SEIU regarding department structures. We will also take advantage of the talented RMA staff to evaluate the best location for functions. Finally, we will update the Board regularly and intend initial status reports in mid-October, mid-November and mid-January.
Therefore, we request the Board adopt the Ordinance and authorize actions related to implementation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrative Office, Resource Management Agency, and Human Resources Department concur in the recommendation. County Counsel has approved the ordinance as to form.
FINANCING:
No additional costs beyond what was presented on September 15, 2020.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
__ Economic Development
X Administration
__ Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Leslie J. Girard, County Counsel & Charles J. McKee, CAO
Reviewed by: Nick Chiulos, Assistant CAO
Approved by: Charles J. McKee, CAO
Attachments:
- Attachment A - Introduced ordinance, dated September 15, 2020
- Attachment B - Board Report, dated September 15, 2020