TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, City Manager
TITLE: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Non-District Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 for Staffing Needs for the Neighborhood Development Services Department in the Amount of $696,570 and Police Vehicle for Sworn Supervisor in the Amount of $57,000; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Approve Resolution No. 2021-R-56 on first reading.
Recommended Action on Second Reading
Adopt Resolution No. 2021-R-56 with recommended changes outlined below.
Background Information
Neighborhood Development Services Department
Neighborhood Development Services Department - Planning and Zoning (General Fund)
Unified Land Development Code Project Manager $170,000 - The City will be working with AD-Vance Talent Solutions to continue Mrs. Bramble’s responsibility of Project Manager for the Unified Land Development Code rewrite. This request will fund this position for 9 months at 30 hours a week.
Temporary Planner II $38,680 - The Planning and Zoning Division staffing resources are currently consumed with many urgent projects and numerous development applications. These include: The Unified Land Development Code rewrite; completion of the Impact Fee Study; several Comprehensive Plan updates; Evaluation and Drawing of Proposed City Commission District Boundaries and Redistricting Plan; Mobility-Connectivity and Mobility Fee Study; Heron Creek developments and entitlement issues; and the many Wellen Park development applications. To keep these projects on schedule and adhere to application deadlines, the Division is requesting temporary Planning assistance. The temporary Planner would be assigned special projects to assist and support staff thereby allowing staff to devote the time necessary to expedite projects in a quality manner. This request is for 9 months.
Additional Professional Planning Staff $250,000 - It is the intent of the Neighborhood Development Services Department to secure a firm to provide professional project review on an as-needed basis for Planning. The scope of services will include:
• Review of development proposals, site plans, Comprehensive Pan and Code Amendments, Variances, etc. for conformance with the City’s Unified Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.
• Report preparation.
• Perform research on planning and development related policies.
• Drafting of Ordinances, Resolutions, and Code language.
The Neighborhood Development Services Department is seeking professional Planning staff with American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) certifications to perform planning work of moderate difficulty in the project review of development proposals. Staff assigned should possess in-depth knowledge within one or more planning specialties such as economic development, comprehensive planning, or environmental planning. Most work will be completed on-site at City Hall with minimal work completed electronically/digitally. This request is for nine months.
Neighborhood Development Services Department - Building Division (Building Fund)
Plans Examiner/Inspector $51,940 - The Neighborhood Development Services Department, Building Division is requesting an additional Plans Examiner/Inspector. Development continues to increase in the City, specifically in the Wellen Park area. The Building Division has just received confirmation of seven recently approved subdivisions within the Wellen Park along with upcoming Village E development of 270+ units to begin construction in January 2022. This continued growth and development requires additional personnel to process extensive plan review services and maintain next day level of service for daily inspections. This position would start after approval of this budget amendment and would add a full-time employee (FTE) to the City’s personnel count.
Development Review Process Solicitation $150,000 - The Neighborhood Development Services Department received a total of eight solicitations in Fiscal Year 2021, all well over the $75,000 budgeted amount. All formal solicitations received ranged from $95,000 - $148,000. The $75,000 originally budgeted in Fiscal Year 2021 has gone back into the Building Division fund balance. The Neighborhood Development Services Department, Building Division would like to request approval to proceed with the Development Review Process by funding this project for the Fiscal Year 2022 in the amount $150,000.
Q-Trac Scheduling Software $4,300 - This is a Virtual Queuing and Appointment software. The Building Division has researched software platforms that will assist in reducing the amount of time customers spend waiting in the City Hall lobby to see a permit clerk. This software will allow customers to schedule appointments online and would manage the queue of walk-in customers, providing a more efficient process for our customers and allowing permitting staff the additional tools needed to manage the current workload.
Box Enterprise Subscription $5,000 - The Building Division continues to explore ways to enhance our customer service experience and provide efficient and effective processes for permit submittal. This software is a cloud-based program that will enhance our electronic permit submittal process. This will allow the Building Division customers access to their own folders to manage submittals and revisions without any security concerns. In addition, the cloud base program will allow for adequate storage for electronic plans.
Neighborhood Development Services - Building Fund/Tree Fund
Temporary Arborist $26,650 (50% Building Fund/50% Tree Fund) - The City Arborist for the Neighborhood Development Services Department is on extended medical leave. Currently, his date of return is unknown. The Arborist position is crucial to the development review process. Temporary staffing is required to maintain the same level of service and maintain the continued growth and development within the City.
Police Department
Police Department - Law Enforcement Impact Fee Fund
Vehicle Purchase $57,000 - Due to an internal review of the Crime Scene and Property Evidence Unit, the Police Department identified several areas that require a strict oversight by a sworn Supervisor, The Interim City Manager approved a reclassification of a Civilian Supervisor position to a sworn Supervisor position in Fiscal Year 2021. This created a new sworn position that will require an assigned vehicle.
Changes on Second Reading
Staff recommends eliminating the request for the Unified Land Development Code Project Manager for $170,000 from the general fund and changing the request for a Temporary Planner II to Temporary Planner(s) to allow for flexibility in what position can be hired. A draft resolution with these changes has been attached to the agenda item.
Strategic Plan
Health and Public Safety
Efficient and Effective Government
Financial Impact
General Fund - Additional staffing needs will be funded from fund balance in the amount of $458,680.
Building Fund - Staffing and operating needs will be funded from fund balance in the amount of $224,565.
Tree Fund - Staffing needs will be funded from fund balance in the amount of $13,325.
Law Enforcement Impact Fee Fund - Vehicle purchase will be funded from fund balance in the amount of $57,000.
All funds will increase by the amount of fund balance used.
Changes on Second Reading to Financial Impact
General Fund - Additional staffing needs will be funded from fund balance in the amount of $288,680.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2021-R-56
2. Fund Balance Report General Fund
3. Fund Balance Report Building Fund (updated from 1st Reading)
4. Fund Balance Report Tree Fund
5. Fund Balance Report Law Enforcement Impact Fee Fund
6. Draft Resolution No. 2021-R-56 with recommended changes
Prepared by: Lisa Herrmann, Budget Administrator
Department Director: Kimberly Williams, Finance Director