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ADOPTED | BOOK

At the field operations level, an additional Street Supervisor position is needed in order to manage
the increased street maintenance activity without pulling resources away from traffic system
maintenance. The adopted budget recommends funding an additional Street Supervisor in the
Public Works Operations Division.

Communication

With the growth in social media and an increase in residents’ use of social media to find information
and report concerns, more and more staff time is required to respond to posts, comments and
questions posed on social media. In addition, there is an increased expectation for “instant
information” to be available on social media regarding any City programs, activities or incidents. The
demand for information is exceeding the capacity of our very small Communications Department
and is pulling operational staff away from regular duties to assist in providing timely and accurate
information. The adopted budget recommends the addition of a Communications Specialist to help
meet the social media information demands, and allow more proactive communication through our
various City media platforms without detracting from other operational activities.

Redevelopment

Commercial and residential areas in NRH are aging and some are starting to detract from our goal
of maintaining a positive city image. Code Enforcement can address some of these issues, but
redevelopment and revitalization are needed in many of the City’s main corridors. As NRH
approaches build-out, more resources need to be shifted from new development to redevelopment
and revitalization. A three-pronged approach of code enforcement, redevelopment design and
planning, and economic development is proposed to address this need. In addition to adding a Code
Enforcement Officer to Neighborhood Services, we are proposing to reinstate funding for the
Planning Technician in the Planning and Building Inspections Department. This position was vital in
allowing much of the recent update of the comprehensive plan (2017-2019) to be completed by in-
house Planning staff. Reinstating funding to this position will allow many of the routine planning
tasks and responsibilities to be handled by the Planning Technician, freeing up the senior Planning
staff to focus time on redevelopment projects.

In addition to increasing code enforcement and planning resources, this budget proposes a
commitment of $250,000 from the Gas Reserve Fund to a capital project for addressing incentives,
assisting owners with the demolition of obsolete buildings, acquisition of property or construction of
infrastructure in commercial areas along Davis Boulevard and Boulevard 26 to partner with property
owners in these revitalization efforts.

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