REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to (1) Amend the Classification Plan to Add the Classifications of Business Systems Analyst - Confidential, Principal Assistant City Attorney, Engineer 1, Engineer 2, Civil Engineer ESD, Senior Engineer ESD, Engineering Manager, and Traffic Engineer, Part-Time; to Change the Titles for the Following Classifications: Accounting Manager, Budget Manager, Homeless Services Manager, Laboratory/Pretreatment Manager, Senior Workforce Development Manager, Superintendent of Libraries, Superintendent of Parks and Golf, Superintendent of Public Works Operations, Superintendent of Recreation Services, Supervising Librarian, Utility Billing Manager, Water and Sewer Systems Division Manager, Water Pollution Control Maintenance Manager, Water Pollution Control Operations Manager, Water Pollution Control Plant Division Manager, and Youth and Family Resource Manager, and (2) Make Corresponding Updates to the City’s Salary Resolution and Schedule of Pay
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2024, the City undertook a citywide management classification and compensation study of the non-sworn current management classifications and pay ranges, consistent with industry best practices. The City contracted with Gallagher and Co., formerly Koff & Associates (“Gallagher/K&A”), to complete this study. Classification study results have been discussed with the Office of the City Manager, Department Directors, the Sunnyvale Managers Association, and all non-sworn management employees. The title recommendations are based on the work with Gallagher/K&A, staff analysis, and discussions with the bargaining unit.
This report outlines a range of actions to change and add classifications to the Classification Plan and make corresponding updates to the Salary Resolution. Key changes include formally adding classifications approved through the budget process and new classifications and titles proposed by departments or recommended in the management classification study and creating an engineering classification series for Environmental Services to provide entry-level employment opportunities and future promotional opportunities.
EXISTING POLICY
City Charter Section 1104, entitled Pay Plan, states that amendments to the pay schedule may be adopted from time to time by City Council upon the recommendation of the City Manager.
City Charter Section 1103, Classification, states that additions or changes to the classification plan may be adopted from time to time by the City Council upon the recommendation of the City Manager.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
The requests listed below include operational updates for new classifications approved through the budget process and new classifications proposed by departments. The recommendations for title changes and the addition of the Engineering Manager classification are resulting from the management classification study. Staff are reviewing the consultant recommendations on compensation for all management classifications included in the study. Compensation recommendations will be presented in a future report.
New Classifications
Business Systems Analyst - Confidential
Business Systems Analyst is a current classification represented by the Sunnyvale Employees Association (SEA)/IFPTE Local 21. A Business Systems Analyst - Confidential position for Human Resources was approved in the FY 2025/26 budget, and all full-time benefited positions in Human Resources are designated as confidential.
Principal Assistant City Attorney
The Office of the City Attorney is requesting to create a new classification, Principal Assistant City Attorney, to assist the City Attorney in managing and directing the operations of the City Attorney's Office. This classification will align Sunnyvale with comparable local agencies, provide flexibility for office administration and operational needs, and create a promotional path to support employee retention and/or training and experience.
Engineer 1, Engineer 2, Civil Engineer ESD, Senior Engineer ESD
The Environmental Services Department (ESD) currently holds only the Senior Environmental Engineer classification. That classification has been difficult to fill, which prompted further discussion on creating classifications at a lower level. The proposed engineer classifications will allow ESD to recruit, hire, and develop a team of qualified employees, and provide a classification structure with promotional and growth opportunities. The ESD Engineer classification series structure follows the structure currently used by the Department of Public Works.
Engineering Manager
This recommendation came out of the citywide management classification study. The study involved several steps, including completion of Position Description Questionnaires (PDQs) by employees, review of the PDQs by each employee’s supervisor and director, and employee interviews conducted by the consultants. Based on the findings, the consultant recommended establishing a new Engineering Manager classification for one position currently classified as a Senior Environmental Engineer. This new title more accurately reflects the responsibilities and scope of the work being performed. Both the ESD and the bargaining unit support the proposed reclassification.
Traffic Engineer, Part Time
Traffic Engineer is a current classification represented by the Sunnyvale Employees Association (SEA)/IFPTE Local 21. A Traffic Engineer, Part-Time position was approved in the FY 2025/26 budget to support the implementation of the new Traffic Calming Program, and all part-time benefited positions are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Title Changes
Based on recommendations from the citywide management classification and compensation study, staff proposes updates to the existing classification titles listed below to provide a clearer representation of classification responsibilities, align with classification titles in comparable agencies, and establish consistent naming conventions within departments and across the City. Compensation recommendations from the study will be presented in a future report.
|
Current Classification Title |
New Classification Title |
|
Accounting Manager |
Accounting Division Manager |
|
Budget Manager |
Budget Division Manager |
|
Homeless Services Manager |
Human Services Manager |
|
Laboratory/Pretreatment Manager |
Laboratory Manager |
|
Senior Manager of Workforce Development |
Workforce Development Manager |
|
Superintendent of Libraries |
Deputy Director of LRS - Library Services |
|
Superintendent of Parks and Golf |
Deputy Director of DPW - Parks, Golf, and Urban Landscape |
|
Superintendent of Public Works Operations |
Deputy Director of DPW - Public Works Operations |
|
Superintendent of Recreation Services |
Deputy Director of LRS - Recreation Services |
|
Supervising Librarian |
Library Services Manager |
|
Utility Billing Manager |
Utility Billing Division Manager |
|
Water and Sewer Systems Division Manager |
Deputy Director of ESD - Water Distribution/Sewer Collection |
|
Water Pollution Control Maintenance Manager |
Wastewater Treatment Facilities and Maintenance Manager |
|
Water Pollution Control Operations Manager |
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Manager |
|
Water Pollution Control Plant Division Manager |
Deputy Director of Environmental Services - Wastewater Treatment |
|
Youth and Family Resource Manager |
Recreation Services Manager |
Bargaining Unit Review
The Engineer 1, Engineer 2, and Civil Engineer classifications would be represented by SEA/ IFPTE Local 21. SEA/IFPTE Local 21 was provided with notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed pay rates and job descriptions for the represented classifications.
The Senior Engineer - ESD and Engineering Manager classifications would be represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA). SMA was provided with notice and an opportunity to comment on the job description for the represented classification.
The Traffic Engineer, Part-Time classification would be represented by SEIU Local 521. SEIU Local 521 was provided with notice and an opportunity to comment on the job description for the represented classification.
Amending the salary schedule to include these classifications will ensure that the City complies with CalPERS requirements to provide publicly available pay scales.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact from adding the classifications or changing the titles. This resolution will not add any positions or modify the budget. The classifications of Business Systems Analyst - Confidential and Traffic Engineer, Part-Time have already been incorporated in the FY 2025/26 Adopted Budget. The fiscal impact of the other added classifications will only be realized when the costs to support them are appropriated in a future budget.
Compensation recommendations from the citywide management classification and compensation study, and their fiscal impacts, will be presented in a future report.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution to amend the Classification Plan to add the classifications of Business Systems Analyst - Confidential, Principal Assistant City Attorney, Engineer 1, Engineer 2, Civil Engineer ESD, Senior Engineer ESD, Engineering Manager, and Traffic Engineer, Part-Time; to change the titles for the following classifications: Accounting Manager, Budget Manager, Homeless Services Manager, Laboratory/Pretreatment Manager, Senior Workforce Development Manager, Superintendent of Libraries, Superintendent of Parks and Golf, Superintendent of Public Works Operations, Superintendent of Recreation Services, Supervising Librarian, Utility Billing Manager, Water and Sewer Systems Division Manager, Water Pollution Control Maintenance Manager, Water Pollution Control Operations Manager, Water Pollution Control Plant Division Manager, and Youth and Family Resource Manager, and make corresponding updates to the City’s Salary Resolution and Schedule of Pay.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Delanie LoFranco, Human Resources Manager
Reviewed by: Tina Murphy, Director, Human Resources
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution