February 25, 2025 City Manager Memorandum
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ADMINISTRATION 10000 North El Mirage Rd., El Mirage 85335 623-876-2949; TDD 623-933-3258 www.elmirageaz.gov MEMORANDUM TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY MANAGER J. CRYSTAL DYCHES SUBJECT: CITY FACILITIES - HOURS OF OPERATION AND HOLIDAY CLOSURE DATE: FEBRUARY 25, 2025 Operational Adjustments to Enhance Public Access and Efficiency During the January 7, 2025, Council Worksession, the Council expressed a desire to increase public access to City services by expanding operational days to five days per week and keeping City facilities open between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. In response, I tasked Human Resources Director Kurek with reconvening the Recruitment and Retention Committee, comprised of representatives from each department, to collaborate on a solution that meets the needs of both the community and our employees. Additionally, some members of the Council expressed interest in maintaining the extended operational hours by staggering staff shifts. While this approach was fully considered, maintaining extended hours without additional staffing was determined to be operationally unfeasible. Reallocating existing personnel to cover extended hours would have strained departmental resources, potentially reducing service availability during peak hours and impacting operational efficiency. The adopted schedule strikes a balance between enhancing public accessibility and maintaining high service standards within current staffing levels. This approach ensures continuous, uninterrupted service throughout the workday, eliminating the previous midday closure while still expanding public access by an additional 30 minutes per week. New Hours of Operation – More Accessibility, Greater Efficiency Effective June 1, 2025, City facilities will operate Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, eliminating the midday closure. 2 This adjustment aligns with best practices in municipal operations, optimizing staff productivity while making City services more accessible to residents and businesses. Departments will maintain internal flexibility in scheduling to ensure continued efficiency and high-quality service delivery. To evaluate the impact of this change, it will be implemented as a one-year pilot program. Throughout this period, City staff will monitor resident feedback and operational effectiveness, providing data-driven insights to the Council at the end of the pilot period. Holiday Schedule Enhancement In addition to the daily schedule adjustment, City facilities will remain open between Christmas and New Year’s, starting December 2025. This change ensures that residents and businesses have access to municipal services during this time. A Resolution will be presented for Council approval to formally revise the Holiday Closure Policy in alignment with this change. Updated City Facilities Hours of Operation (Effective June 1, 2025): City Hall, Development Services, and Human Resources Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM • City Hall: Residents and businesses can access general City services. • Development Services (Planning & Zoning, Engineering, Code Compliance, and Building Safety): o Permit-related business conducted at City Hall. o Permit applications via ELM Online Permit Portal. o Inspections: May – September: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM October – April: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM o Inspection requests through the ELM Online Permit Portal. o For assistance, call 623-876-2977. • Human Resources (Jobs & Hiring): o Job seekers may apply online at Human Resources. City Court Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM • Court financial obligations can be paid online at www.azcourtpay.com. Fire Department Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM • To schedule a station tour, fire inspection, or car seat installation, call 623-583-7968. 3 • Fire Inspections: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. • After-Hours Requests: Call 623-251-3507 or email jnapier@elmirageaz.gov. • Emergency Services: Always available—dial 911. Police Department Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM • Police Assistance: o Call 623-500-3000 for administrative operations. o Call 623-933-1341 for non-emergency service requests. o Emergency Services: Dial 911. • Police Lobby Access: o Vestibule remains open 24/7 for emergency calls. o Walk-in visitors are welcome Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Public Works Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM • Emergency Response: o Water leaks, street closures, signs, and lights continue to be monitored 24/7. o Emergency Hotline: 623-935-6405. • Field Operations: Monday – Friday, 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM Parks and Recreation Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM • Field Operations: Monday – Friday, 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM • Emergency Park Maintenance: Available 24/7. • Emergency Hotline: 623-935-6405. • Senior Center: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM • For more information, call 623-876-4232. Utility Billing & Customer Service Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM • Residents may also pay bills online via Express Bill Pay. Operational Considerations & Public Outreach The June 1, 2025, implementation date was carefully chosen to ensure a smooth transition for residents, businesses, employees, and service providers. This timeframe allows for comprehensive 4 communication efforts to inform the public through multiple outreach channels, including utility bill inserts, the City newsletter, social media updates, and the City website. Additionally, the phased approach gives City employees sufficient time to make necessary arrangements for childcare and eldercare in response to their adjusted work schedules. Internally, departments will use this period to coordinate workflow adjustments and ensure operational efficiency, minimizing disruptions while maintaining high-quality service delivery. Furthermore, the City will work closely with vendors to renegotiate service contracts for court security, cleaning services, armored car services, and landscape maintenance to reflect the new operational hours. This structured rollout ensures that all stakeholders are well-prepared and positioned for a seamless transition to the revised schedule. Operational Oversight and Implementation In a council-manager form of government, the City Manager is responsible for scheduling and facility hours, as they oversee the day-to-day operations of the City. This includes managing facilities, allocating resources, and ensuring efficient service delivery, all while implementing the policy direction set by the City Council. The revised schedule reflects the Council’s priorities while maintaining operational sustainability within existing resources. This measured, data-driven approach ensures that City services remain efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of residents and businesses, reinforcing the City’s commitment to providing high-quality municipal services. For any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to serving our residents.