Loading...
Agenda Item 8F AGENDA ITEM # 8F NOVEMBER 28, 2011 CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION MEETING STAFF REPORT AGENDA ITEM: Report on Redevelopment and Zoning Coordinator Position SUBMITTED BY: Jim Hanson, City Mana DATE: November 15, 2011 BACKGROUND: This staff report is in response to a request made at the commission meeting on November 14 for discussion of the newly restructured position for a Redevelopment and Zoning Coordinator. Announcements for this opening were sent out prior to November 14 and applications are being received. It is scheduled to close for receipt of new applications on December 9 This is pursuant to the unanimous approval given by the City Commission on October 10, 2011 of a staff report describing various restructured positions. This restructured position for a Redevelopment and Zoning Coordinator results from two vacant positions being combined to save money and allocate resources to the strategic priorities that have been set by the City Commission. The Mayport Corridor Project was established by the Commission three years ago as the City's most important strategic goal. To accomplish the objectives, new positions were created for a Community Redevelopment Coordinator and two COPs officers. The Commission has confirmed that the Mayport Corridor remains as a strategic goal in each strategic planning workshop since that time, most recently in February of this year. This was discussed extensively in the budget workshops held in August when it was very clear that the Commission wanted to continue providing staff support to these programs even when several positions had to be eliminated to balance the budget. The position for the Community Redevelopment Coordinator was reduced from a full -time to a half -time basis and the number of COPs officers decreased from two to one. The person serving as the Community Redevelopment Coordinator (Dale Hatfield) chose not to serve in a split position and was returned to full - time status in the Police Department as a Sergeant. This left a vacant half- time position in the City Manager's Office for the Community Redevelopment Coordinator. The job of Planning and Zoning Director has remained vacant for several months since the retirement of Sonya Doerr. This vacancy has been held open rather than filled because the economy has been slow and there has AGENDA ITEM # 8F NOVEMBER 28, 2011 been less zoning and development work needed at City Hall compared to normal times and secondly, because other staff were able to temporarily pick up the responsibilities related to the Community Development Block Grant Program that had been assigned to the Planning and Zoning Director. Combining the jobs of the Planning and Zoning Director and the Community Redevelopment Coordinator allows the City to assign the staff necessary to address needs for both zoning and economic redevelopment with the limited resources that are available in the current budget. It also allows for a refocusing of the Mayport Corridor responsibilities to evolve from of a police /crime prevention effort to having a greater emphasis on economic redevelopment and partnership with businesses and outside agencies. The proposed combination and restructuring of jobs, along with the transfer of the vacant one -half position to the Police Department, allows for the continued funding of a second COPS officer which was also discussed by the City Commission in the budget workshops. Again, the proposals for these two steps were described in a staff report presented at the City Commission meeting on October 10 and were unanimously approved by the City Commission. BUDGET: Funds for filling the Redevelopment and Zoning Coordinator position are included in the FY 2011 -2012 budget and no changes are needed. RECOMMENDATION: No action is necessary. This staff report is prepared to give the City Commission the status and background on the filling of this position. ATTACHMENTS: 1) Staff Report dated October 3, 2011 on restructuring positions 2) Vacancy Announcement for Redevelopment and Zoning Coordinator AGENDA ITEM # 8F NOVEMBER 28, 2011 STAFF REPORT City of Atlantic Beach Commission Meeting AGENDA ITEM: Restructuring Positions DATE: October 3, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Hanson, City Manager David E. Thompson, Asst. City Manager Michael Classey, Chief of Police BACKGROUND: In the 2011 City budget, the Community Redevelopment Coordinator position was reduced to '/2 of a position where the individual would perform both Police Detective and Community Redevelopment duties. The half time Redevelopment Coordinator position was funded in the City Manager budget, and the half time Detective position was offset in the Police Department budget by grant funds in the amount of $23,574. Since that time, the person filling the Community Development Coordinator position declined the opportunity to fill that position. This provides the City will new opportunities as the City continues to address commercial economic redevelopment while maintaining the police presence on Mayport Road/Atlantic Boulevard. 1. Community Redevelopment Coordinator As discussed during 2011 strategic planning, staff recommends making a transition in focus on the Corridor toward Economic Redevelopment. The City of Atlantic Beach Community Development Director position is currently unfilled. The duties of this position have been largely absorbed by the Senior Planner, Building Official, and Assistant City Manager. The fact that this position is funded and remains vacant provides the City with the opportunity to seek and recruit a planner who has specific education and experience in Community Redevelopment. In the present economy, the City should be able to recruit a planner with a graduate degree, supplemented by specific education and experience in Economic Redevelopment. Although the current, unfilled position is a supervisory position over the Senior Planner, staff recommends that the job description be changed to place the newly hired person at the same level of authority as the senior planner. The new job description will include economic redevelopment responsibilities in addition to more traditional planning functions. Staff also recommends that both planning positions be placed under the Building Official's authority in the organizational structure. 2. Police (COPS) The Police Department has been awarded approximately $105,000 Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) for 2011 -12. These grants are very restrictive, but it is a feasible option to continue funding a currently grant funded position with JAG funding. Two (2) Community Oriented Policing Strategy (COPS) officers were funded by grants last year, and only one (1) COPS officer was approved in the current budget. The residual $23,574 in JAG funding can be used to pay for a second COPS Officer in the present budget, devoting at least 60% of his /her time to the Mayport Corridor. AGENDA ITEM # 8F NOVEMBER 28, 2011 3. COPS Funding An application was submitted for additional COPS funding in 2011 -12, but it was not funded in the present round of COPS grants. Atlantic Beach remains in a similar position with the Jacksonville Sheriff s Office who submitted an application for more than $3 million dollars, which was not funded. The fact that the application was not denied and remains in a pending status is significant for future funding consideration. The most recent jobs bill under consideration includes $5 billion for first responders, including police officers. There have been times in the past when funding became available, and the "pending" list of COPS applications was utilized as the applicant pool for funding. In other words, the unfunded COPS applications may be funded in the future. BUDGET: The recommendations in the staff report redistribute existing funding in the budget, and they will not increase the total expenses in the budget. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. To authorize staff to restructure positions to replace the Community Development Director position, to reflect the changes noted above, and to authorize staff to recruit and hire a qualified person for the new position. 2. To authorize the modification of the 2011 -12 budget shifting funding from the City Manager's budget for the Community Redevelopment Coordinator position to the Police Department where it will be used with the remaining JAG funding to pay for a 2 nd COPS position on a part time basis. ATTACHMENTS: None REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: AGENDA ITEM # 8F VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NOVEMBER 28, 2 The following position is available with the City of t antic Beach. Applications must be received by December 2, 2011 12 -03 POSITION: Redevelopment & Zoning Coordinator Starting Pay: $47,694 to $63,606 D.O.Q. + benefits S a7; DEPARTMENT: Building � s OPENING DATE: 11/12/11 CLOSING DATE: 12/09/11 QUALIFICATIONS :� Must be a non -user of tobacco or tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding application and abstain from the use of tobacco or tobacco products during employment with the City. Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field is required. Two to three years economic development experience in municipal management involving coordination, administering and implementing development proposals preferred. Master's Degree or graduate level coursework desirable. Experience and knowledge of Microsoft office and other standard software applications required. Knowledge of ARCView GIS desirable. Licenses and /or Certificates: Valid driver's license with a satisfactory motor driving record. DUTIES Develops policies and programs to promote economic development in the City that results in job creation, capital investments, and expanded tax bases. Manages maintenance of critical information desired by development prospects such as economic data, land /structure availability, demographic and psychographic data, and general market information in a readily accessible manner. Represent the City in partner organizations such as Jacksonville (Duval County) and the other Beaches Cities as well as state and federal agencies. Provide recommendations on Zoning Ordinance /Comprehensive Plan update. Assist with the activities involved in administering existing City codes through building permits, variances and exceptions. Provide staff support, reports and support to the City Commission and Community Development Board. Explain and interpret zoning codes and regulations to builders, developers, and the general public. Serves as liaison between civic groups, private and public agencies in solving Community Development issues. Conducts examination of building plans, specifications, blueprints, surveys and sketches for compliance with codes and regulations governing land use and zoning. Prepares and submits applications for Community Development Block Grant Funds and manages programs. Prepares and disseminates a wide variety of information materials (collateral) representing City businesses and services through the use of brochures, newsletters, flyers, articles, commercials, radio, print advertising, special presentations, signage and related materials. Performs other related duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SHILLS AND ABILITIES Comprehensive knowledge of business development, factors affecting business and community vitality, tools for enhancing economic opportunity, and the relationship between community and economic development. Ability to communicate effectively with groups and individuals, organizations, elected bodies, business prospects, and development and finance professionals regarding issues and opportunities related to economic development. Knowledge of the principles, techniques and objectives of Community Development Block Grant programs; urban planning; Florida laws; zoning codes; licensing activities; comprehensive land use planning and development regulations. Ability to read and interpret construction plans, plot plan specifications, surveys and sketches, blueprints, and make recommendations accordingly. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with private and public agencies, organizations and individuals. Submit application to: City of Atlantic Beach, Human Resources 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Phone (904) 247 -5820 Web address: www.coab.us No smokers /tobacco users. Drug testing conducted. EOE.