Latest Guides

Government

Council Approves Reorganization of Recreation and Human Service Department

New “Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department” will be created within 60 days

Published on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 | 5:52 am
 

The Pasadena City Council on Monday voted to direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending the city’s municipal code to change the name of the Human Services and Recreation Department to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

City officials hope the new department will clear up confusion regarding services provided by the city’s parks.

Currently, maintenance of City parks is provided by the Public Works Department and recreation programming by the Recreation Division of the Human Services and Recreation Department.

While some local residents favored the reorganization, they still had questions about maintenance in the Arroyo.

“There needs to be someone with direct authority to implement park and natural habitat maintenance,” wrote Thomas D. Seifert and Dianne Philibosian in an email to the city. “Will this be the Parks and Recreation Administrator? To whom will this position report? What opportunity will there be for citizen input for the job description, candidate selection, and to the on-going work of the Parks and Recreation Administrator? What autonomy will this administrator have to implement whatever means are necessary for quality maintenance? Who will provide the expertise for the natural habitat in the lower and upper arroyo areas? Who will provide the expertise to maintain the appropriate permits and operation of the low flow streams and fish habitat areas? Who will be responsible for oversight of the forestry division of the City?”

The division of services often required local residents to contact two separate departments to secure needed services or information.

The proposed changes are also expected to relieve the burden on the Public Works Department by allowing the department to focus more closely on a growing number of capital projects, that came about after voters passed Measure I, a three-quarter cent sales tax increase, that put about $22 million in the city’s general fund. Mayor Terry Tornek proposed that the bulk of the new funds be used for “urgent capital projects,” with a five-year spending plan.

The realignment would also relieve the director of the responsibility of dealing with park maintenance issues. The changes will not result in layoffs, according to City Manager Steve Mermell.

The realignment of department duties would include staffing the Recreation and Parks Commission as well as responsibility for the planning, operation and maintenance of all public areas used for park and recreation purposes, including public parks, library grounds and the Arroyo Seco area.

Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.

Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.

Make a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

 

 

buy ivermectin online
buy modafinil online
buy clomid online
buy ivermectin online