sr-021971-8e\~,
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
January 5, 1971
The Honorable Gity Council
City Manager
71-c-a
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Consolidation of Building and Plan.-ling Departments
As of January 1971 we will have vacancies in the positions of Building
Officer and Planning Director. Prior to filling either vacancy on a
permanent basis, serious consideration should be given to the consoli-
dation of the two departments into one department of Building and Planning.
The principal advantages of such a consolidation consist of (a) more
efficient service for the public, and (b) a more economical operation for
the City.
Each application for a building permit (other than minor alterations and
modifications) must be processed through both the Building Department
and the Planning Department. This causes a certain amount of paper
handling between the two departments, delay for the applicant and oppor-
tunities for misunderstandings or errars which are the consequence of
transporting documents and/or people from department to department. It
also contributes to the condition where no single department is responsible
for the adequacy of compliance with both Building and Planning regulations
prior to the issuance of the permit.
The same situation exists with respect to field inspections in
that building inspectors do not currently ccncern themselves
with compliance under Planning regulations and the same is
true of the Zoning Inspector with respect to compliance with
the Building Code.
Consolidation of the two departments would (after completion of the physical
consolidation and reassignment of duties) eliminate one major executive
position as well as creating the conditions under which it may be possible in
the future to reduce both inspection and clerical personnel. The consolidation
should also improve service to the public by the reduction of the number of
stops which must be made in order to obtain Building and Planning approval
and should promote greater coordination of inspection effort.
To: The Honorable City Council
January 5, 1971
71-C-2
Accordingly, it is recommended that the City Council authorize the consoli-
dation of the two departments. In the event the consolidation is approved by
the City Council, proceedings will then be initiated before the Personnel
Board. for the approval of the consolidated class specification for the single
department head.
/L %
PERRY~~'COfiT, City Manager
PS; js
cc: City Clerk
City Attorney
Director of Personnel
Planning Director
Acting Building Officer