CC SR 20260120 F - Staff Assistant PositionCITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 01/20/2026
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider consolidating two existing part-time Staff Assistant positions into one new full-
time Staff Assistant position in the Administration Department.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1.Adopt Resolution No. 2025-__, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, APPROVING A STAFFING ADJUSTMENT
TO CONSOLIDATE TWO EXISTING PART-TIME STAFF ASSISTANT
POSITIONS INTO ONE NEW FULL-TIME STAFF ASSISTANT POSITION IN THE
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.
FISCAL IMPACT: If the Resolution is adopted, the proposed conversion of two part-
time Staff Assistant positions into one full-time Staff Assistant
position will result in an estimated annual net increase of
approximately $4,300 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26. The combined
salary and benefits for the two part-time positions are approximately
$92,800, compared to an estimated $97,100 for the proposed one
full-time position. If approved, no additional appropriation is needed
as the net increase of $4,300 can be absorbed with in the available
unspent salary budget this fiscal year. VR
Amount Budgeted: $ 3,254,500
(City Administration - Salaries and Benefits)
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): 101-400-1410-XXXX
(City Administration – City Manager – various accounts) VR
ORIGINATED BY: Vanessa Godinez, Human Resources and Risk Manager VG
REVIEWED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager CJ
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A.Resolution No. 2025-__ - Staff Assistant position
BACKGROUND:
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The Administration Department has two (2) budgeted part-time Staff Assistant positions
who are stationed in the City Hall Lobby to provide reception and administrative support
services. These duties include directing in-person and telephone inquiries to the
appropriate departments, managing mail deliveries, and providing administrative
assistance and project-related support to various City departments. The two part-time
positions are presently filled by one (1) permanent and one (1) temporary employee, each
working approximately 20 hours per week to provide coverage during regular business
hours.
While this part-time staffing approach has allowed the City to maintain front -desk
coverage, it also presents operational challenges. Because both positions are part-time,
schedules must be coordinated and adjusted monthly based on employee availability,
which can limit scheduling predictability and require last minute coverage by other staff
members. Additionally, turnover is generally higher for part-time positions, which reduces
efficiency and requires increased recruitment and training demands.
DISCUSSION:
The Administration Department evaluated whether consolidating the two (2) existing part-
time positions into one (1) new full-time Staff Assistant position would provide greater
consistency and operational efficiency thereby addressing the challenges currently
experienced. A full-time Staff Assistant would be available every day throughout the work
week to assist the public, support departments, and respond to inquiries in a timely
manner. This consistency allows the position to retain institutional knowledge of each
department’s functions and needs. Furthermore, a full-time Staff Assistant would make it
possible for administrative and project-related work to be carried forward each day by one
consistent staff member, without disruption or delay caused by shift changes.
The Finance Department completed a fiscal analysis of this proposed staffing change.
Currently, part-time Staff Assistant hourly rates range from $23.82 to $30.95 per hour and
may be eligible for CalPERS and medical benefits depending on the number of hours
worked per fiscal year. Alternately, a full-time Staff Assistant annual salary ranges from
$54,244 to $70,517 (or approximately $26.08 to $33.90 /hour) and is eligible for medical
and CalPERs benefits.
Including salary and benefits, the two part-time positions are budgeted at $92,800 in FY
2025-26. The proposed one full-time position is estimated to cost approximately $97,100.
In short, the added cost of replacing two part-time Staff Assistant positions with one full-
time Staff Assistant is approximately $4,300 annually, inclusive of salary and benefits.
This increase is anticipated to be offset by the operational benefits, which include
improved coverage and reduced time spent managing scheduling changes, recruitment,
and training.
Staff also evaluated options for providing coverage during the full-time Staff Assistant’s
days off, lunches, breaks, and personal time off. Staff recommends supplementing
coverage by hiring one to two year-round Interns to support the front-desk operations and
assist with administrative and special projects across multiple departments such as
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Finance, Recreation and Parks, and Administration. The City already budgets annually
for multiple Intern positions who primarily work during the summer; therefore, the
proposed year-round Intern support would result in no additional fiscal impact. Lastly,
existing City staff would also be available to provide coverage during lunches and breaks,
if and when needed.
If approved, the City would initiate recruitment for the full-time Staff Assistant and one to
two year-round Interns in February 2026, with the goal of onboarding the selected
candidates by March 2026.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The conversion of two part-time Staff Assistant positions into one full-time Staff Assistant
position will result in a shift in representation between labor groups. The part-time
classification of Staff Assistant is represented by the American Federation of State,
County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) bargaining unit. The full-time classification
of Staff Assistant is represented by Rancho Palos Verdes Employee Association
(RPVEA) labor group. If this conversation is approved, AFSCME will lose two part-time
represented positions, and RPVEA will gain one full-time represented position.
In accordance with the City’s obligations under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act regulations,
staff initiated meet-and-confer discussions with both AFSCME and RPVEA. The City
provided notice, an opportunity to meet, and the necessary information for both labor
groups to evaluate the proposed staffing change. Both AFSCME and RPVEA
acknowledged the operational justification for the conversion and expressed agreement
with the proposal. The City has therefore fulfilled its meet-and-confer obligations, and
both labor groups support moving forward with the recommended staffing adjustment.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommend consolidating two existing part-time Staff Assistant positions into one
new full-time Staff Assistant position which will provide greater continuity in front-desk
operations, improve customer service, and enhance efficiency. The fiscal impact is an
estimated $4,300 annual increase in FY 2025-26.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not approve consolidating the two part-time positions into one full-time position
effective this fiscal year.
2. Approve the consolidation but delay implementation until next fiscal year.
3. Take other action as deemed appropriate.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
APPROVING A STAFFING ADJUSTMENT
TO CONSOLIDATE TWO EXISTING PART-TIME
STAFF ASSISTANT POSITIONS INTO ONE NEW
FULL-TIME STAFF ASSISTANT POSITION IN
THE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS, Title 2, Chapter 2.46, Section 2.46.030 of the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code, and Rule III, Section 1, of the Competitive Service Employee Rules
authorizes the City Manager to prepare, maintain, and amend the classification plan as
needed, which shall contain job specifications for job classifications for positions covered
by the Rules; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes currently budgets for two part-time
Staff Assistant positions that provide administrative support to the City Administrative
Services Department, including front-desk coverage at City Hall and administrative
support to various City departments; and
WHEREAS, operational needs have evolved, increasing the demand for
consistent front-desk coverage and cross-departmental administrative support; and a
staffing review determined that converting two part-time Staff Assistant positions into one
full-time position would improve efficiency, customer service, and operational stability;
and staff further determined that utilizing existing budgeted Intern positions to hire one to
two year-round Interns would adequately supplement front-desk and administrative
coverage during periods of leave without additional fiscal impact; and
WHEREAS, the part-time Staff Assistant classification is represented by the
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the full-
time Staff Assistant classification is represented by the Rancho Palos Verdes Employee
Association (RPVEA); the proposed staffing conversion will result in AFSCME losing two
part-time represented positions and RPVEA gaining one full -time represented position;
and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, the City provided
notice and engaged in meet-and-confer discussions with both AFSCME and RPVEA
regarding the proposed staffing change, and both labor groups acknowledged the
operational justification and expressed agreement with the conversion; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that converting two part-time Staff Assistant
positions into one full-time Staff Assistant position is in the best interest of the City,
promotes efficient operations, and enhances customer service.
NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
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Resolution No. 2026-__
Page 2 of 2
VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council approves the consolidation of two existing part-time
Staff Assistant positions into one new full-time Staff Assistant position; and,
Section 2. The City Council authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to
implement the approved staffing conversion, initiate a competitive recruitment for the full-
time position, and make any necessary administrative and budgetary adjustments
consistent with this Resolution; and,
Section 3. The City Council authorizes staff to utilize existing budgeted Intern
positions to hire one to two year-around Interns to supplement front-desk coverage and
provide administrative support across applicable departments, with no additional fiscal
impact; and,
Section 4. This resolution shall be effective upon adoption as specified herein.
The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 20th day of January, 2026.
________________________________
Paul Seo, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the
above Resolution No. 2026-__ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City
Council at a regular meeting thereof held on January 20, 2026.
________________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
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