To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Heather Ruiz, Human Resources Director
Prepared By: Caitlin Saldanha, Management Analyst II
TITLE:
Title
City Manager’s Office Staffing Plan Updates: 1) Adopting a New Classification Specification, Salary Range, and Benefits for Community Relations and Media Analyst; and 2) Amending Napa Municipal Code Section 2.08.090(A) regarding the designation of appointive officers in the City Manager’s Office
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
1. Adopt a resolution amending the City Classification Plan by adopting the new classification specification, salary range, and benefits for Community Relations and Media Analyst.
2. Approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance amending Napa Municipal Code Section 2.08.090(A) regarding the designation of appointive officers in the City Manager’s Office.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Overview:
The budget staffing plan for the City Manager’s Office includes the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Community Relations and Media Manager, Community Relations and Media Analyst, two Management Analysts I/II, and Office Assistant I/II. These position allocations listed in the budget staffing plan were approved by City Council on June 17, 2025 during the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 and Fiscal Year 2026/27 Budget via Resolutions R2025-073 and R2025-074.
New Classification Specification for Community Relations and Media Analyst:
During the annual budget approval process, the City Manager’s Office requested a new position to offer professional support to the Community Relations work group. The Human Resources Department collaborated with the City Manager’s Office and recommended the creation of a new classification specification that aligns with the operational needs of the Community Relations work group. The Community Relations work group indicated that this new classification will be conducting research, providing recommendations, enhancing the pipeline of communication with the public, and supporting the overall transparency of the organization. Some of the duties that will be assigned to this new position have been outsourced in the past through consultants, so this restructuring is to bring the work in-house to be performed by an employee in this newly created classification.
The Human Resources Department conducted a survey of several municipalities of similar size which have comparable classifications. Based on the data obtained from comparator agencies, as well as internal equity within the organization, staff determined that setting the salary of this position commensurate with the Management Analyst II (journey level) was the most appropriate considering the scope and exposure of the position, the level of duties performed, analytical skills necessary to understand trends and improve community engagement, as well as the tact and discretion required for such a specialized role.
Therefore, it is recommended that the City create a new classification titled Community Relations and Media Analyst. It is recommended that the Community Relations and Media Analyst salary be set at $108,220.93 - $130,754.83, which aligns with the salary for Management Analyst II.
Appointive Officers in City Manager’s Office:
Additionally, staff recommends that Council approve an update to the list of appointive officers in the City Manager’s Office within the Napa Municipal Code to include one (1) Community Relations and Media Analyst. Thus, if Council approves the recommended action, the organizational structure of the City Manager’s Office in the budget staffing plan will now coincide with the Appointive Officers listed in the Napa Municipal Code to include the following: Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Risk Manager, Community Relations and Media Manager, Community Relations and Media Analyst, two Management Analysts I/II, and Office Assistant I/II.
The attached ordinance adds the position of Community Relations and Media Analyst to the list of Appointive Officers in the City Manager’s Office. The Community Relations and Media Analyst will provide community outreach support to the Community Relations and Media Manager in the City Manager’s Office. This will be an at-will position serving at the pleasure of the City Manager.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
The funding for this position was approved with the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Budget on June 17, 2025. There is no additional fiscal impact for this item.
CEQA:
The Human Resources Director has determined that the recommended action described in this staff report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Resolution
EX A - Classification Specification for Community Relations and Media Analyst
ATCH 2 - Ordinance
NOTIFICATION:
Legal notices of the report were published in the Napa Valley Register at least 10 days prior to the hearing date.