HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-15 City Council (2)TO:
ATTN:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL ~
FINANCE COMMITTEE
CITY MANAGER
MAY 15, 2001
APPROVAL OF UPDATES
CODE CONVERTING THE OFFICE OF HUMAN SERVICES TO
THE HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION AND MISCELLANEOUS
OTHER LANGUAGE UPDATES
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
CMR: 242:01
TO THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve the attached modifications to the Palo Alto
Municipal Code (Attachment A) converting the Office of Human Services to the Human
Services Division and updating other outdated language.
BACKGROUND
Under the City’s existing organizational structure, the Office of Human Services resides
within the administration functional area of the Community Services Department. The
Office of Human Services is currently staffed with six full-time employees and is located
at the Cubberley Community Center. The major programs and elements of the Office are
administration and support of the Human Relations Commission, Human Services
Resource Allocation Process (HSRAP), Seasonal Employment Opportunities Program,
Family Resources, child care site contract management, and the Fee Reduction Program.
DISCUSSION
For the past twenty-five years, the Office of Human Services has been the City’s sole
provider of human service programs, except for the work done in the Planning and
Community Environment Department through Community Development Block Grant
funds. Until recently, the Office of Human Services was primarily responsible for
staffing the Human Relations Commission and its projects, plus the distribution and
administration of HSRAP funds. In 1989, the management of City-sponsored child care
sites was added.
CMR:242:01 Page 1 of 3
Beginning in 1997, spurred by increased community pressures for additional human
services, Council approved a variety of programs that added to the responsibilities of the
Office of Human Services. These new services gave Human Services full leadership in
the development of the Family Resources program, management of the Seasonal
Employment Opportunities Program, administration of the Fee Reduction Program and
increased participation in a variety of human services-related projects. With the added
responsibility came additional staff and budget. The Office grew from two full time staff
members to six, with a budget totaling $2.1 million.
.Staff’s request to convert the Office to division status is based on the growth of the
human services operation and the existing level of work and responsibility that warrants a
higher status level in the organization.
This report also recommends an update of outdated language regarding the organizational
makeup of the Community Services Department. Present language does not reflect many
of the changes and additions that have altered the organizational structure of the
Community Services Department.
RESOURCE IMPACT
This recommendation will result in an increase to the General Fund of approximately
$15,000. This increase reflects salary adjustments that will convert the Human Services
Administrator to a Division Head, and an Office Specialist to Staff Secretary.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This recommendation is consistent with Comprehensive Plan Program C-1: In
cooperation with existing public and private agencies and PAUSD, develop a service
program that will coordinate the efforts of agencies providing services to families and
youth, in Palo Alto; and Policy C-7: Actively work with private, nonprofit, and public
community service organization to avoid duplication and to coordinate the delivery of
services like child care, senior services, and recreation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act;
and no further environmental review is required.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A:Ordinance Of The Council Of The City Of Palo Alto Amending
Section 2.08.210 Of Chapter 2.08 Of The Palo Alto Municipal Code
To Add The New Division Of Human Services To The Department
Of Community Services
CMR:242:01 Page 2 of 3
PREPARED BY:
Community Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
PAUL THILTGEN
Director of Community Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:242:01 Page 3 of 3
follows:
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF .THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO AMENDING SECTION 2.08.210 OF
CHAPTER 2.08 OF THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ADD THE NEW DIVISION OF HUMAN
SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
SERVICES
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as
SECTION I. Section 2.08.210 of Chapter 2.08 of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"2.08.210 Department of
services.
community
(a) The community services department
shall be under the direction of the
director of community services, who shall
be accountable to the city manager. The
duties of the director of community
services shall be as follows:
(i) To formulate for approval plans and
programs as they relate to the identified
social needs of the community either
directly or in cooperation with the
resources ofthe community;
(2) To provide staff advisory and
technical assistance to the human relations
commission, the public arts commission, and
such similar groups that may be created or
established;
(3) To maintain landscaped areas
including district and neighborhood parks,
miniparks, athletic fields, fire stations
and utility grounds in a safe and aesthetic
manner;
(4) To manage the use, scheduling, and
operation of municipal playgrounds,
swimming pools,community centers, camps,
athletic centers and fields, golf courses,
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theaters, cultural centers, museums,
interpretative centers, libraries,parks,
and activities connected therewith;
(5) To provide and develop .programs for
increased knowledge, artistic expression,
physical activity, social help, and
enjoyment of the outdoors;
(6) To perform or.cause to be performed
all duties required by this code or other
law of the director of arts and culture,
human services, director of libraries,
director of parks and golf,, and the
director of recreation, open space and
sciences; and
(7) To perform other such duties as may
be required.
(b) For organizational purposes, the
department of community services shall
consist of the following divisions: arts
and culture; human services, parks and
golf; library services;and recreation;
open space and sciences."
SECTION 2.The City Council finds that this
project is exempt from the provisions of the Environmental
Quality. Act ("CEQA") because it can be seen With certainty
that there is no possibility that this project will have a
significant effect on the environment.
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SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be effective on
the thirty-first day after the date ofits adoption.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
Mayor
City Manager
Director of Administrative
Services
Director of Community
Services
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