HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 1783City of Palo Alto (ID # 1783)
City Council Informational Report
Report Type:Meeting Date: 6/6/2011
June 06, 2011 Page 1 of 2
(ID # 1783)
Title: Permit Center Activity
Subject: Update on Permit Activity at the Development Center
From:City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommendation
This is an informational report and no Council action is required
Executive Summary
Permit activity for all departments serving at the Development Center (DC) has
increased significantly in 2011. In April 2010, the DC served 930 total customers; in
April 2011, the DC served 1178 customer representing a 26% increase in customer
activity. In order to reduce customer waiting times, Staff has implemented several
measures to provide both permanent and temporary resources to address increased
workload demand resulting from a more robust economic climate. On a financial note,
the Development Center collects permit fees which largely off sets staff and contract
costs.
Background
The attached chart provides the total customer interactions from January 2010 and
shows increases in permit activity. To address the customer volumes, Staff has begun
to fill vacancies in front counter staff: a vacant permanent Building Technician position
is about to be filled from a list of qualified applicants. Staff is also looking to bring in an
additional hourly Building Technician from the list of applicants on a temporary basis
until workload conditions stabilize. In addition, a vacant Plan Check Engineer, also a
permanent, budgeted position has also been posted and will be filled within the next
two months. Lastly, staff has made several temporary work assignments from other
departments or divisions. For example, the Planning Division has re-assigned a part
time contract project planner and the Building Division has assigned a full time plan
reviewer to increase our Project Management capacity to staff the Blueprint pilot
project.
In addition to permanent and temporary staffing, additional contract support has been
recently brought on board. Three Building plan reviewers and one additional Planning
tech are currently working directly at the counter reducing customer wait times. Staff is
also working with other departments to explore temporary assignments to augment the
June 06, 2011 Page 2 of 2
(ID # 1783)
counter resources should workloads continue to increase at their present rates.
Management changes have also been implemented to provide oversight and support to
the Development Center staff. Deputy City Manager has been assigned on a temporary
basis to provide the multi-department oversight already identified in the DC Blueprint
and as reported to Council earlier this year in the mid-term Blueprint update.
Attachments:
·Attachment A: Development Center Customer Counts (DOC)
Prepared By:Katie Whitley, Administrative Assistant
Department Head:James Keene, City Manager
City Manager Approval: James Keene, City Manager