Council approves $60,000 to hire part-time neighborhood response coordinator

The Mill Valley City Council voted to authorize a $60,000 budget adjustment and directed the city manager to recruit a part-time Neighborhood Response Group (NRG) coordinator, funded from unspent MWPA (Measure C) funds. The city manager explained the role would be an analyst-level position reporting to the city manager's office and assigned to support the Emergency Preparedness Commission, with responsibility for recruiting volunteers, reactivating dormant neighborhood teams and coordinating with public works and fire services.

City Manager (Speaker 10) described the history of a shared regional coordinator, the subsequent loss of regional funding and why a local, city-funded coordinator would restore "that local touch." He said the initial $60,000 would cover roughly six months to a year of part-time work and provided a plan for the position to grow into a full-time role subject to future budget decisions. The staff memo attached a recruitment plan and suggested $10,000'$15,000 of the funds would support EPC education and immediate outreach in year one.

Councilmembers acknowledged concerns about recruiting to a part-time post and the desirability of making the role clearly a path to full-time employment to attract strong candidates. Vice Mayor Perret moved the budget adjustment and hiring authorization and a councilmember seconded; the council voted in favor with oral "Aye" responses recorded in the transcript. The motion authorizes the city manager to begin recruitment and use MWPA funds for the initial year of expenses.

Next steps: staff will post the position, begin recruitment and return to council with any recommended adjustments and updates on program performance and budget implications.