LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council Member Allison Patton
SUBJECT:
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HIRING OF A CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
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RECOMMENDATION:
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That City Council approve the hiring of a City Council Communications Specialist. Further, that City Council direct the Council Executive to work with City Human Resources to interview and hire the City Council Communications Specialist within the designated salary range.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
In 2014, a Charter amendment was passed which authorized the City Council to establish the Office of the City Council, with the authority to hire certain staff:
“The City Council shall establish an Office of the City Council and shall have as its staff the following who shall be responsible to the City Council through the President of the
Council.” 4.02(6) City Charter
“…Other Staff. The City Council may create and fill other staff positions for the purpose of assisting it in the performance of its legislative function.”
In 2015, City Council began the staffing process with the addition of a Council Executive and in early 2016 added an Executive Assistant to the City Council and Council Assistant. In 2019, Council hired a Budget Analyst and in 2022 Council added a Special Assistant to the Council Executive. In 2023, the Budget Analyst resigned, and the position remains open. As authorized by the City Charter, that was approved by the electorate in a special referendum, the position requested is that of Other Staff, described as a Communications Specialist. This position will be funded by the appropriated for the currently unfilled Budget Analyst position.
During the summer of 2023 (June-July), City Council employed two (2) interns who started the process of setting a baseline for this type of position. The internships were used as a semi-pilot program to gauge the necessity / advatages of such a position. Based on input from a variety of internal sources, it is felt that such a position and the continuity that an individual could provide would be beneficial to City Council Members. This position is envisioned to be a “Mini- PIO” for Council Members to assist in the creation and dissemination of District centric community outreach as well as City wide initiatives.
PRIOR ACTION:
June 2023 - July 2023 - City Council employed two (2) Social Media focused Summer Interns
November 4, 2014 - Charter Amendment passed via referendum vote requiring City Council to establish the Office of the City Council, thereby authorizing Council to hire their own staff.
FUNDING:
Salary Range: $55,764.80 - $95,180.80
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The estimated salary range for the City Council Communications Specialist is $55,764.80 - $95,180.80 which is comparable with the Assistant Public Information Officer position. Funding from the Budget Analyst for City Council position will be utilized to fund this position. With the addition of the City Council Communications Specialist position, the Budget Analyst for City Council position will be eliminated.
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
1) City Council Communications Specialist Job Description
PRESENTATION: No