Yuba City Council splits large operations unit into three departments, recognizes internal hires as directors

The Yuba City Council voted to create three separate departments — Development Services, Public Works and Utilities — and recognized internal staff who have accepted or agreed to leadership roles in the reorganized structure.

Gina Roland, interim human resources director, told the council the change follows the resignation in early June of the city's development services and public works director, who had overseen development services, streets, water, sewer and storm drainage systems, engineering, fleet services, facilities maintenance, and the city's water and wastewater treatment plants. Roland said staff recommended splitting the former "mega department" into three departments and that the council adopt a resolution to create the new departments, amend authorized positions and the salary schedule, approve three new department director job descriptions and one deputy director job description, and authorize the director of finance to amend the budget to implement the changes.

Roland said the recommended salary range for the three new department heads is $155,912 to $189,512 annually and that the reorganization is expected to be cost neutral. "There's no additional cost resulting from these recommended actions as sufficient funds have been" made available, Roland said, noting some position reallocations, a support staff addition for Public Works and title changes would follow the department split.

City Manager Robert Bindorff introduced the staff the council recognized. Bindorff said the appointments were filled from within the organization rather than through outside recruitment and praised the city's staff and succession planning. "They do some fantastic work," Bindorff said, adding that the three promoted employees have already signed or agreed to employment terms through the city manager's office.

Bindorff said Phil Marler has accepted the offer to serve as utilities director; Doug Libby has accepted the position to serve as development services director (Libby was not present and will be introduced at a future council meeting); and Josh Wolf has accepted the position to serve as public works director. Phil Marler, who addressed the council at the meeting, said, "I am honored to step in the role as utilities director. I've been fortunate to work with an amazing group of people the last 19 years, and I am excited to see what we do moving forward." Josh Wolf told the council he began with the city as an intern and has worked his way up, thanking staff and family for support.

Council members offered welcoming remarks. Vice Mayor Boomgarden said, "I couldn't feel more confident in you guys taking over the departments respectfully and helping to continue to lead the city." Council Member Pasquale echoed that sentiment and Council Members Cole and Kirchner also expressed support for hiring from within.

Council Member (mover not named in the record) moved to accept item 1 — the resolution creating the Development Services, Public Works and Utilities departments and associated personnel and budget amendments — and the motion received a second (second not named in the record). The council voted in favor; the mayor declared, "Ayes have it. Motion carries." The vote was recorded as unanimous in the meeting record.

Mayor Shaw said Doug Libby will be presented at a future council meeting. The council directed the finance office to make the amendments necessary to implement the organizational changes and job-title updates.

No public comments were received for the business item at the meeting. The council adjourned the special meeting after the recognition and planned to convene a regular meeting later in the evening.