REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Amending the Classification Plan and Salary Resolution to Change the Classification Title of Communications Officer to Deputy Public Information Officer, Create the Classifications of Accounting Manager, Active Transportation Planner, Chief Public Information Officer, Housing Specialist I/II, and Permit Technician, Part Time, Update the Salary for the Classifications of Budget Manager and Affordable Housing Manager, and Make Corresponding Changes to the Schedule of Pay
Report
BACKGROUND
This report recommends amending the Classification Plan and the City’s Salary Resolution to change the Communications Manager title, update the salaries for the Budget Manager and Affordable Housing Manager based on the approved classification study, and create the new classifications listed in the title of this report, which were included in the FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget.
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
Title Change
Deputy Public Information Officer
The Office of the City Manager has requested a classification title change for Communications Officer to Deputy Public Information Officer. This request is to differentiate the classification from the new position of Chief Public Information Officer. This title change will provide a better representation of the responsibilities assigned to the classification and will be accompanied by an updated job description.
New Classifications
Accounting Manager
The Department of Finance has requested to create an Accounting Manager classification. This is a separate and higher classification than a Finance Manager due to overseeing a crucial and high-profile function in City finance. The Accounting Manager requires specialized knowledge of governmental accounting principles and accepted practices and is responsible for activities and deliverables such as the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, annual external audit, treasury services, debt service and grant management.
Active Transportation Planner
The Active Transportation Planner classification was added in Budget Supplement #5 in the FY 2024.25 Adopted Budget to accelerate the overall implementation of the Active Transportation Plan.
Chief Public Information Officer
The Chief Public Information Officer classification was added via a Service Level Adjustment in the FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget to provide higher level management of public information demands, media responses, marketing, and community engagement. The salary aligns this classification with the level of responsibility of similar managers within the organization, as well as the market study of comparable agencies.
Housing Specialist I/II
The Housing Specialist I/II classification was added via a Service Level Adjustment in the FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget to meet increased workload to implement the City’s new Housing Element.
Permit Technician, Part Time
Permit Technician is a current classification represented by Sunnyvale Employees Association (SEA)/IFPTE Local 21. A Permit Technician, Part Time position was approved in the FY 2024/25 budget, , and all part-time benefited positions are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Wage Adjustment
Budget Manager
With the Budget Manager position vacant, the Office of the City Manager authorized a salary study to review compensation in relation to comparable cities and internal equity. Human Resources staff completed a market study and equity review and determined that the classification is paid above average for the area. The recommendation is to reduce the maximum annual salary rate from $212,488 to $202,621. This change also addresses internal equity in the Finance Department with the requested Accounting Manager classification.
Affordable Housing Manager
The Office of the City Manager was presented with a compensation study request from the Community Development Department (CDD) to review the Affordable Housing Manager pay range for internal equity.
Staff recommends the pay for the Affordable Housing Manager classification align with comparable classifications within the City of Sunnyvale compensation plan. Based on this study, increasing the current maximum annual salary of $178,772 by 3.4% to $184,836 (Pay Range 26) is recommended. This increase aligns the Affordable Housing Manager with the Homeless Services Manager, Permit Center Manager, and Principal Planner, the equivalent management classifications in CDD.
Bargaining Unit Review
The Active Transportation Planner and Housing Specialist I/II classifications are represented by SEA/ IFPTE Local 21. SEA/IFPTE Local 21 was provided notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed pay rates and job descriptions for the represented classifications.
The Accounting Manager, Affordable Housing Manager, Budget Manager, Chief Public Information Officer, and Deputy Public Information Officer classifications are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA). SMA was provided notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed pay rates, job descriptions, and proposed title change for the represented classifications.
The Permit Technician, Part Time classification is represented by SEIU Local 521. SEIU Local 521 was provided notice and an opportunity to comment on the job description for the represented classification.
Amending the salary schedule to reflect these title and compensation changes will ensure that the City is in compliance with CalPERS requirements to provide accurate publicly available pay scales.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will not add any positions nor modify the budget. With the exception of Accounting Manager, funded positions for all classifications being added were included in the FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget.
The reduction in pay scale for the Budget Manager classification will result in a savings of approximately $13,000 annually or $325,000 over 20 years. The increase in pay scale for the Affordable Housing Manager classification incurs an additional cost of approximately $8,200 annually or $205,000 over 20 years. This cost will be absorbed in the department operating budget and incorporated into the General Fund Long-Term Financial Plan.
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 NOVA Workforce Services 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 amending the Classification Plan and Salary Resolution to change the Classification Title of Communications Officer to Deputy Public Information Officer, create the Classifications of Accounting Manager, Active Transportation Planner, Chief Public Information Officer, Housing Specialist I/II, and Permit Technician, Part Time, update the Salary for the Classifications of Budget Manager and Affordable Housing Manager, and make corresponding changes in the Schedule of Pay effective September 1, 2024.
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 $250 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
A check or “Y” 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
_Y_ Labor or personal employment contract
_ _ General policy and legislative actions
Staff
Prepared by: Delanie LoFranco, Human Resources Manager
Reviewed by: Dennis Jaw, Interim Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Tina Murphy, Director of Human Resources
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, Interim City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution