City Council
MEETING DATE: 6/8/2016
TITLE:
Title
City Hall Business Hours
End
FROM:
Charlie McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
This item is presented for information, discussion and direction only.
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BACKGROUND:
Among the goals adopted by Council for 2016 was a statement that staff should evaluate the options, costs and benefits of potentially expanding City Hall hours to include Fridays. The topic was previously discussed at a study session on September 9, 2015 and Council did not proceed with making any changes at that time.
DISCUSSION:
Cathedral City adopted a four-day, forty hour work week for City Hall in 1998. Since that time hours of operation have been from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday and closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Advantages of the compressed work week include the following:
-Services are available to the public earlier in the morning and later in the evening allowing residents to conduct business with the City before or after work.
-It is a recruiting advantage when filling staff positions, helping the City to be more competitive for staff.
-There are energy savings advantages.
-There are air quality advantages with commutes occurring only four days per week instead of five.
-Phone records indicate there is a high demand for the early morning hours provided by the existing schedule.
-Many services are still provided on Fridays with advance appointments. Department Heads and Division Managers make themselves available when necessary.
Disadvantages of the compressed work week include the following:
-Some services are not available on Friday, although many exempt employees work remotely on Fridays and many services such as inspections are available if scheduled.
-Perception that it is for the benefit of City employees rather than the public.
-Some businesses, including real estate and others cite Fridays as a key time when they need City services.
-There is a percept...
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