Pacific Grove council approves deputy city manager position, reallocating economic development funds

The Pacific Grove City Council voted unanimously to amend the operating budget and create a deputy city manager classification in place of a planned program manager, directing the position to focus on economic development, communications, outreach and special projects.

City Manager Mogensen said the change responds to findings in a recent organizational diagnostic that identified capacity gaps in the city manager’s office. Mogensen told the council that reclassifying the position would better meet several recommendations from the consultant’s report and provide staffing capacity for employee engagement, program follow-through and coordination of upcoming council goals.

Mogensen said the change will be funded primarily from the economic development budget; the position’s cost can be covered this fiscal year from existing allocations and the city would plan for the staff cost in next year’s budget. Mogensen said the fiscal impact is in line with classifications already published on the city website and that no additional appropriation is required in the current fiscal year.

Council members across the dais praised the concept. Lisa Siani, who identified herself as a resident and long‑time commenter on historic resources, said she thought the deputy city manager role “really makes a lot more sense” for covering duties previously assigned ad hoc to other directors. Councilmember Garfield said the new position would help address a narrow capacity in the manager’s office and help retain institutional knowledge.

The city attorney presented the ordinance title and the council adopted the budget amendment by voice vote, 6-0. The council asked staff to proceed with classification and recruitment work and to return with any procedural items needed for hiring and placement within the FY salary schedule.