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C. 24

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	October 13, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Request to add Two Principal Planners

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 10/13/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

ABSENT:

Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor

Contact:	Victoria Mejia 925-674-7726
cc:	James Hicks Victoria Mejia Anastacia Swift Eva Barrios

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: October 13, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No 21710 to add two (2) full-time Principal Planner - Level A (5AHD) (represented) positions at salary plan and grade ZA2 1871 ($7,311 - $8,908) in the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD).

FISCAL IMPACT:

Upon approval, this action will result in annual personnel costs of approximately $350,000 including approximately $80,000 for pension costs. The first position will be funded by land development funds and the second position (to be designated Sustainability Coordinator) will be funded by a General Fund allocation to DCD previously approved by the Board. These costs are included in DCD’s approved budget for FY 2015-16.

BACKGROUND:

The Board of Supervisors has identified the need for a greater focus on coordinated sustainability programs across the County. The County Administrator's Office (CAO) has recommended and the Board has approved the allocation of funds to DCD in support of the Sustainability Coordinator position in DCD's FY 2015-16 budget. The role of the Sustainability Coordinator is to oversee the development and integration of County activities and policies related to climate change, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency programs and to assist with identifying and securing grant funds from the various greenhouse reduction funding programs.

DCD has determined that the class of Principal Planner is the appropriate class to assume the role and functions of the Sustainability Coordinator. Principal Planners are management level planners responsible for major elements of land use or infrastructure planning, or specialized community and environment-related programs.

This Board Order is seeking approval to add two (2) Principal Planners - Level A. In addition to the need for a Sustainability Coordinator, DCD also needs a second Principal Planner to provide additional program management support and oversight to the growing workload performed by junior planners. Application activity has significantly increased since the recession and workloads for existing Principal Planners have increased dramatically throughout DCD.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Failure to add these two positions will limit the ability of DCD and the County to efficiently manage land use projects and respond to the Board’s directive to integrate sustainability activities across the County.