HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 05-26 - New Visitor Center StaffREQUEST:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
STAFF REPORT
Approval of the Addition of Two (2) Full -Time Office Assistant Positions to Staff
the New Visitor/Information Center with an appropriation from the General Fund
Reserve to provide funding for the positions.
DATE: March 10, 2005
CONTENTS:
1) Resolution No. 05- 26.
2) White Paper dated January 20, 2005, and submitted to the City Council
on February 17, 2005.
SUBMITTED BY: Duane K. Munson, Interim Director of Human Resources
Recommendation: Waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 05-2_6_, amending Resolution 04-73
by adding two Office Assistant I -II positions to the City's Authorized Table of Organization for the purpose
of providing staff to the new Visitor Information Center.
Discussion: The City of Palm Desert anticipates the opening of the new Visitors on or about July 1,
2005. This facility is much larger offering more visitor serving features than is offered by the current
facility; consequently, it will require a larger staff to meet the service needs of the public. This
recommended action is consistent with the expressed vision of the City Council for the operation of this
new City facility.
At its Budget/Project Status Study Session on February 17, 2005, the City Manager received direction to
move the filling of these positions forward so that the employees can be on board in time for the opening
of the new facility which is projected for July, 2005.
Fiscal Impact: Combined salary cost. $5,050 per month
Interim Director of Human Resources
Approval:
CARLOS L. OTEG
City Manager
Rev
SHEILA R. GIL IGAN
ACM/Community Se
PAUL GIBSON
Finance Director
G:1CityClrkWary GatesPersonne12006 VIC Pasi6an.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 05-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING PORTIONS OF RESOLUTION NO. 04-73,
"EXHIBIT A" SALARY SCHEDULE, SALARY RANGES, AND ALLOCATED
CLASSIFICATIONS AND TO CREATE TWO NEW CLERICAL POSITIONS TO
BE ASSIGNED TO THE NEW VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER.
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert has hereto established salary schedules, ranges,
and allocated classifications and desires to modify and amend that system in the regards as set
forth below:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert
as follows:
SECTION I - SALARY SCHEDULE, RANGES & ALLOCATED CLASSIFICATIONS
ADD:
AUTHORIZED
POSITION NO. CLASSIFICATION GRADE POSITIONS
30035/30030 Office Assistant I — OR - 230/300 2
Office Assistant 11
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Palm Desert City Council this day of
, 2005 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
BUFORD A. CRITES, MAYOR
APPROVED:
RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT
W:\Agenda Items\2005-Mar 10\2005 VIC Positions - Salary Res 04-05 amendment 2.doc
CITY OF PALM DESERT
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer
From: Donna Gomez, Visitor Information Center Manager
Date: January 20, 2005
Subject: MID -YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENT REQUEST
With an anticipated opening of the new Visitor Information Center (VIC) of July 2005, it
is timely to address the issue of staffing needs. While taking into consideration budget
constraints, several issues should also be considered upon reviewing staffing
requirements at the new VIC.
Major increase in building size (from 1,770 square feet to over 8,300 square feet)
• Security - larger areas and more inventory to observe in order to avoid theft
• Safety - there should always be two staff members on duty at any one time
• Expanded services - showing of videos in. the theater, tours of the site, tours of
state-of-the-art building, etc.
Our current volunteer program will continue to assist with backup services, but, I have
found over the years that the level of service provided can be restricted or limited (i.e.
handling cash, hearing on the phone, implementing policies, etc). Therefore, it is
important to have qualified staff available at all times to provide quality customer service
to the caliber expected by the City of Palm Desert.
The current staffing (F/T employees) provides for only one staff member working
weekends. During weekdays, the VIC Manager is often out at meetings, which again
leaves only one staff person covering on Mondays and Tuesdays with no staff backup.
Concerns also occur with this arrangement due to the lack of coverage that allows for
allotted breaks and lunches hours.
With the construction of a new state-of-the-art Visitor Center, it is imperative that this
facility improves its visual display areas, customer service, inventory, tourist services,
programs, marketing efforts, and visibility in the community. With this in mind, it will
require the full time attention of the Manager to implement these programs. The
following outlines the minimum staff needed in order to effectively operate this new
facility.
Staffing Requirements:
Existing Staff:
Manager Monday - Friday
Office Assistant II - - Monday - Friday
Office Assistant II Wednesday - Sunday
Requested Staff:
Office Assistant I
Seasonal PIT
Secretary, shared
Friday - Tuesday
November - April (20-25 hours/week) 7
Monday - Friday
Thenew office assistant would serve to provide the additional coverage at the Visitor
Center on weekends, Mondays and Tuesdays as needed to maintain the highest level
of customer service, safety and security. It is my belief that we should require two VIC
employees on property at all times. This suggested staffing is also based on
maintaining the same hours and days of operation as currently exists at the Visitor
Center. The seasonal employee would provide backup during our busiest season and
would maintain the appearance of the display areas, assist customers with purchases,
provide docent tours, and provide backup to the full-time employees.
The secretary position would be shared between the Visitor Center Manager and the
Marketing Manager. The Marketing Manager will be located at the new Visitor
Information Center upon its opening and currently has no designated staff to assist with
the myriad of marketing and advertising programs. Therefore, in order to both maintain
the VIC level of service and provide the needed clerical assistance to the Marketing
Manager, an additional administrative level employee would be needed.
Donna Gomez, Visitor Center ,,'ager
P;ROV
Sheila Gilligan, = ' M/Community Services
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