HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.B 3/3/2014 • Agenda/a/Iteww 44.3
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DATE: March 3, 2014
TO: Honorable Mayor and°Members of the City Councilthrough the City Manager
FROM: Patrick Williams, Police Chief PO
SUBJECT: Resolution Amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by Establishing
the Classification and Pay Range of Abandoned Vehicle.Abatement Officer and
Authorizing the Position Allocation of Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Officer.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council;adopt the attached Resolution Amending the
Classification and Compensation Plan by Establishing the Classification and Pay Range of
Abandoned Vehicle AbatementOfficer and Authorizing the Position Allocation of Abandoned
Vehicle Abatement Officer:
BACKGROUND
The California Highway Patrol's,Abandoned Vehicle Abatement(AVA) Program was
implemented in 1967 to provide guidance to counties who wishito develop and administer AVA
Authorities. The AVA Program is fecognized as a means to remove abandoned vehicles that
create a public nuisance ands health or safety hazard. Sonoma County participates in the AVA
Program and funds are.disbursed,to the City of Petaluma quarterly in compliance with the AVA
guidelines. The City of Petaluma'sutilization of AVA funds is.strictly limited to authorized
AVA purposes.
The City of Petaluma began participation in the Sonoma County-Abandoned Vehicle Abatement
Service Authority by Resolution#94-232 on August 15, 1994. Historically, the City of Petaluma
has utilized these funds;for equipment purchases (such as Community Service Officer patrol
vehicles)that were directly relatedto addressing AVA,issues in our community: Over the past
few years, the Petaluma'Police Department has been required to focus staff time on higher
priority public safety demands, and the acquisition of AVA funded equipment has been minimal
due to the reduced level of AVA activities.
The Petaluma Police Department in 2012 learned that other police departments have developed
successful AVA prograniS wherein personnel were assigned-exclusively to AVA operations.
The Petaluma Police Department further learned that the personnel costs associated with such an
Agenda Review:
City Attorney Finance Director City Manager
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assignment are appropriate expenditures.under AVA guidelines. ,These findings prompted the
Petaluma Police Department to begin exploring enhancements to its AVA program.
In2012 a similar:resolution was presented for apart time AVA officer position. The program
was approved and AVA Officer Tim Hannon was hired at the end of May 2013. Although the
program with the parttime position has only been operating for eight months, Officer Hannon's
efforts have resulted in the successful;abatement of more than 400vehicles and an increase in
revenue to the City's AVA fund from-an:average of$6,143:00 per quarter inFY12/13 to $34,635
in P113/14 per quarter. When.the part time'position was initiated.the.AVA fund balance was
$200,403.78. Since the approval of the initial part time position the AVA fund has reached a
level of$260,020.50.
DISCUSSION
Residential, industrial and commercial areas are common dumping;grounds for automobiles,
vessels, trailers; auto parts and hazardousmaterials associated with vehicles. Abandoned
vehicles pose health and safetyconcerns and represent a very common'residential complaint by
citizens who reach out to law enforcement in an effort to keep their neighborhoods safe and
clean.
In 2013, the Petaluma Police Department received over 1300 complaints related to abandoned
vehicles. In the past, most of these balls for service were handled by on-duty patrol personnel
and one Community Service Officer until May of 2013 when Abatement Officer Tim Harmon
was hired as a part time AVA officer. Since the beginning of his tenure, Officer Harmon has
handled 884 calls for service pertaining to abandoned vehicles. Officer Harmon monitors and
responds to incoming tips and complaints, and actively patrols Petaluma neighborhoods. Officer
Harmon's patrol duties consist oflooking for vehicles which have been abandoned, are
Unregistered, illegally parked in neighborhoods, block residential,roadways, or are stolen. To
date, Officer Harmon has also issued 214 parking citations.
Should current enforcement trends continue, the cost related to.a full time funded AVA officer
position would be offset by the revenue generated by the proactive enforcement by the AVA
officer position. Further, the account funding the position currently has a balance of
approximately $260,020:50 which is sufficient, ata minimum, to support the full time funded
salary and benefit proposal for the next two years, should revenue decline.
Current conservative,projections indicate the full time position.would be,fully.supported by the
revenues generated to the.AVA:fund and will not impact the general fund. This program will be
evaluated'annually to assure the revenues to the AVA fund are sufficient to have no fiscal impact
upon the general'.fund.
A review of similar classifications salary relationships was conducted within the City's existing
internal pay structure. Insetting a salary range, the classification would be placed within the
existing internal pay structure ata level consistent with classifications of similar complexity and
responsibility and:also compete with the external market. Itis recommended that the salary for
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the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Officer be set at thesame salary range of Parking
Enforcement Officer which.is$3,794.13 to $4,612.40 per month..
Your approval of the recommended pay range is respectfullyrequested. Once the classification
is approved and the position allocated, staff will proceed with recruitment.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The City.of Petaluma AVA fund balance as of January 30, 2014, is $260,020.50.
The,City of Petaluma AVA fund receives quarterly distributions from the County of Sonoma in
conjunction with the county AVA program. Quarterlydisbursements for the past three quarters
have averaged $25,418. In the first quarter staffed byOfficer Harmon, the quarterly
disbursement totaled $26,521. The second quarterly disbursement was $42,750. These quarterly
contributions are a product of annual registration fees collected by the State of California and
distributed to participating California county AVA administrators. The amount received by the
City of Petaluma,from Sonoma County reflects the proportionate share of county wide
abatements conducted by the Petaluma Police Department. It is projected that quarterly
disbursements will average approximately $26,000 in the remaining quarters. This lower
disbursement accounts for'increased.compliance with abating abandoned vehicles and the
resolution of long term abatement projects.
The salary and benefits associated with a full time AVA officer are approximately $89,225.96.
These expenses will be covered'by the AVA fund and will not impact the general fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Re"solutionand Exhibit,A
2. Unit 6—Police Estimated Salary and Benefits
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QYractnmenac \
Resolution No. 2014-XXX N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND.COMPENSATION
PLAN BY ESTABLISHING.THE CLASSIFICATION AND
PAY RANGE OF.ABANDONEDVEHICLE ABATEMENT OFFICER AND
AUTHORIZING THE PC SITION.ALLOCATION OF ABANDONED VEHICLE
ABATEMENT OFFICER
WHEREAS,the City wishes tokeep current its Classification'and Compensation
Plan; and amendments and or revisions to the Classification and Compensation Plan are
effective upon approval by the City Council; and,
WHEREAS,the City Manager/ Personnel Officer has determined that certain
duties and responsibilities are appropriately allocated to the classification of Abandoned
Vehicle Abatement Officer(as attached hereto and marked Exhibit A); and,
WHEREAS,the pay range for the classification of Abandoned Vehicle
Abatement Officer as listed below, is hereby recommended, effective with the adoption
of this Resolution.
Classification'Title ° Pay Range Per Month •
Abandoned Vehicle
Abatement Officer $3,794:27-$3;983.20-$4,182.53=$4;392.27-$4;612.40
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that.the.City Council of the City of
Petaluma:.
1. Approves the amendment to the Classification and Compensation Plan as
written in this Resolution including the amendment in the Competitive
Service of the Personnel System.
2. Takes this action pursuant to Personnel,Code 3.04.020 and Personnel
Rules:and Regulations)(Rule IV- Classification.and Rule V—
Compensation)and,,that the notice of this action has been properly posted.
3. Authorizes the position allocation of Abandoned Vehicle Abatement
Officer effective with the adoption of this Resolution.
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A" rli.�! � ,,, CLASS SPECIFICATION
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Date: 03/03/14
/85e, Job Class: 06
• Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Officer
Summary
To receive and respond to complaints,from the public related to abandoned vehicles; to patrol the
City to enforce municipal and State vehicle parking and abatement,codes, regulations and laws;
and to interpret and explain: codes, regulations, laws and City codes related to parking and
vehicle abatement.
Class Characteristics
General supervision is provided by the Traffic Sergeant
This is a non-sworn position responsible for identifying, marking and tagging abandoned
vehicles, and arranging for their removal, and enforcing parking regulations.
Essential Duties, Skills, and Demands of the Position
The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties, skills; and
demands.
Duties:
Receive and respond to questions and complaints from the public regarding abandoned vehicles,
parking citations and codes, regulations and laws related to vehicle abatement; interpret, explain
and enforce City parking;and vehicle abatement laws.
Patrol the City and locate, mark and tag vehicles which appear to be abandoned on either public
or private property; enforce parking regulations and issue citations.
Conduct follow-up inspectionof all previously marked vehicles to determine if vehicle should be
towed; arrange and oversee towing of all abandoned vehicles.
Prepare and maintain daily activity logs and all necessary reports.
Act as a liaison with tow companies and the public.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the
public using principles of good customer service.
Skills/Abilities:
Enforce parking and vehicle abatement laws and regulations.
Receive and respond to requests and inquiries from the public.
Interpret, apply, enforce and explain municipal and State vehicle parking and abatement codes,
regulations and laws.
Page 1 of 3
PT Vehicle Abatement Officer
Prepare and maintain accurate•records•and prepare clear and.concise.reports.
Use sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
Deal tactfully and effectively with,those encountered in.the:course of the work, including hostile
and irate citizens.
Perform various clerical and administrative support functions.
Operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the
work.
Physical Demands and Work'Environment:
While performing the duties ofthis job, the employee,is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use
hands to finger, handle, or,feel, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach
with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The
employeemust frequently lift and/or move weight up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities
required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth
perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is
frequently exposed to outside .weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to
fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works,without use of a vehicle. The
noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of customer service and public relations.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Principles of basic report preparation.
Routine investigative procedures.
Safety practices:pertaining to the work.
Principles and practices of effective customer service.
Modern office procedures and computer equipment.
Education and Experience
Any combination.equivalent, to the education and experience likely to provide the required
knowledge and abilities;$ould be qualifying. Atypical way to gain such knowledge and abilities
would be:
Education:
Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Page 2 of 3
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PT Vehicle Abatement Officer
Experience:
One year of experience working with the public. One year of parkingcenforcement or abandoned
vehicle abatement;experience is desirable.
Certifications/Licenses:
Possession of a valid California Class C driver license.
Additional Requirement
Must be available to work offshift;hours, including weekends, and/or holidays.
Established: 03/03/14
Department: Police
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
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