Internal Memo – Confidential

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
FOR ACTION

To:

Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño

From:
CC:
Date:
Re:

Wesley Pfeiffer
Tammie Jackson, Zachary Smith, Ashley Becnel
April 29, 2020
FOR ACTION: Departmental Restructuring – Department of Vehicles

This memo outlines policy recommendations for revising the departmental structure of
Safety and Permits (S&P) and Public Works (DPW) as well as resurrecting Utilities as a
vehicle-based department. These changes will consolidate all vehicle related operations
into one centralized department. The specific divisions to be relocated are:
• Ground Transportation Bureau (S&P)
• Motor Vehicle Inspection Bureau (S&P)
• Parking Enforcement Division (DPW)
o Towing and Impoundment
o Parking Adjudication
• Equipment Maintenance Division (CAO)
BACKGROUND
The Department of Utilities was administratively dissolved by executive order (CRN-0205) in 2001 and its duties reassigned to three departments (S&P, DPW, Finance) through
ordinance (MCS 24,560). The Department of Utilities was not removed from the Charter
completely, it exists without assigned duties. Pursuant to section 9-201 of the Charter, it
can be amended again wherein Utilities can be renamed and duties can be reassigned.
REQUIRED CHANGES FOR CONSISTENCY
Over the past twenty years both S&P and DPW have grown into large departments
tasked with a variety of duties. Reassigning vehicle related duties from both into one
department would allow S&P to focus on building inspections, DPW to focus on streets,
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 sidewalks, and draining, and the new Department of Vehicles to focus on vehicle
enforcement and the City’s fleet.
CONSOLIDATION
The City has duplicative processes across departments that would be consolidated
under this proposal. The Ground Transportation Bureau (GTB) and Parking Enforcement
Division (PED) both have administrative hearings, often with the same hearing officers,
which could be consolidated. GTB and PED field enforcement staff often work together,
specifically during special events. Consolidation into one department would increase
productivity and response times.
The GTB has vehicle use policies that have been expanded across S&P which could also
be expanded to the entire City’s fleet. These policies have proved useful in ensuring City
employees are compliant with the law and City policy as well as reduced fuel costs. The
GTB is currently located next to the Equipment Maintenance Division repair facility. The
proximity of these two agencies would allow for easy oversight.
TIMELINE FOR LEGISLATION
With the appreciation that the Administration approves of this proposal, the current
timeline anticipates introduction of the Code amendment ordinance in June. This would
allow time for interdepartmental meetings to discuss the logistics of the reorganization.
Pursuant to section 9-201 of the Charter, the entire process would need to be
completed in 2020.
CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION
Overall the nature of these proposed changes can be described as a technical overhaul
of departments as we seek to revise departmental operations for better efficiency and
oversight. We believe these changes to be largely non-controversial and would like to
begin discussing these changes with the effected departmental leadership with the aim
of a restructuring beginning in June.
This memo requires your sign off on next action or approval
Approve ______________
Decline ______________
Let’s Discuss _____X____
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