AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: YVETTE AGUILAR
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
PATRICIA AHUMADA
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN TO INCLUDE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
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summary
Summary:
The City Council will consider amending the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan (Plan) to adopt a job specification for the position of Public Works Director. As service delivery demands continue to evolve, organizational and administrative updates are necessary to ensure effective operations. Management has identified the need to include both a Public Works Director/City Engineer classification and a standalone Public Works Director classification within the Plan, providing flexibility to hire at the appropriate level depending on organizational needs. Staff recommends this change to accurately reflect the distinct duties and responsibilities of each role and strengthen recruitment and retention efforts to meet current and anticipated future needs. The proposed amendment would not have a fiscal impact and would not increase staffing levels in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 5 High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City services.
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN TO INCLUDE A CLASS SPECIFICATION FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
2. Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING REVISED SALARY RANGES AND BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL, AND REPEALING ALL PRIOR RESOLUTIONS
3. Approve the proposed salary range for the Public Works Director.
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Fiscal Impact:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with the approval of this item in the current FY 2025-26 operating budget. Staff will evaluate contract engineering needs as appropriate as part of the budget adoption process.
Background:
The City has historically hired Public Works Directors without requiring a Professional Engineer P.E. and supplemented the engineering component of the job with contractors on an as-needed basis. At its June 10, 2025, meeting, the City Council approved revisions to the Public Works Director job specification to include City Engineer in the title and augment the responsibilities associated with the position based on incumbent, replacing the Public Works Director position with the Public Works Director/City Engineer position. This change was intended to reflect the engineering duties assigned to the position, as well as its designation as the City Engineer. The Public Works Director/City Engineer separated from employment in November 2025. Recruitment for the role of Public Works Director has historically proven to be challenging, consistent with industrywide trends. Management recommends establishing a separate Public Works Director classification, without requiring a P.E. license, to provide the City with greater flexibility in recruiting qualified candidates for the position.
Analysis:
The proposed adoption of an updated Plan would include both the existing Public Works Director/City Engineer and the standalone Public Works Director positions, offering the City greater flexibility to hire a candidate based on an evolving workforce and organizational needs. If the City Council were to appoint a Public Works Director who does not possess an engineering background, staff would evaluate the level of contract engineering services necessary as part of the upcoming budget adoption process. In conjunction with the mid-year review of the FY 2025-26 Operating Budget, management evaluated departmental operations and staffing levels and developed recommendations aligned with adopted workplans, strategic priorities and current departmental organization structure. As part of this process, management conducted a focused review of the Public Works Department organizational structure and service demands.
Human Resources conducted an evaluation of Public Works Departments’ organizational structures in comparator cities including a compensation survey for the Public Works Director classification, without the P.E. requirement. Based on the salary survey findings, staff recommend establishing the following salary range for the Public Works Director position, in addition to the adoption of the new classification:
$176,359.92 - $231,399.57 annually
Staff recommends adding the Public Works Director position to better position the City to continue meeting its overarching strategic plan goals, support employee development and promotional opportunities and attract talented candidates seeking long-term careers with Signal Hill. Staff prepared the attached resolution updating the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan to include the Public Works Director position (Attachment A).
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
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Siamlu Cox
Attachments:
A. Resolution Amending Class and Compensation Plan
B. Resolution Approving and Adopting Salary Ranges and Benefits for Management Personnel
C. Exhibit A - Public Works Director